Board Members & Leadership
Garvald Strategic Management Team and Board Committee Members
Strategic Management Team
Sue
CEO
Sue brings over 30 years of experience in the charity sector, having held a wide range of management and leadership roles throughout her career in national and city-based charities. Most recently, Sue served as CEO at VSA, where she worked with stakeholders to develop a long-term strategy. During her time there, she partnered with Electrify marketing agency to launch VSA’s first media awareness and fundraising campaign, forged a partnership with BP Cfine and Cyrenians to deliver financial support to reduce low-income household heating expenses and saw VSA secure a multi-year sponsorship to expand VSA’s family farm attraction. Prior to VSA, Sue held leadership roles at Victims Support Scotland and LifeCare Edinburgh. Before moving to Scotland, she worked in senior positions within national UK charities across the military and disability sectors. Sue is also a charity trustee and currently serves on the board of The Royal Society of Single Women of Scotland (RSWWS). Sue has also served as a member director on the Board of Coalition of Care Providers Scotland (CCPS), supporting the sector’s fair work and fair funding campaigns. Sue holds a humanities (drama) degree and an MBA from Aston University.
Swan
Day Service Manager, Mayfield House
With a background in photography, journalism and education, Swan joined Garvald Edinburgh as puppetry workshop leader. She brings extensive experience teaching in both mainstream and Steiner/Waldorf schools and leading creative community initiatives focused on health and wellbeing.
In the puppetry workshop, Swan supported members in finding their voice and creative expression, enabling them to contribute to the wider community.
Together with a growing and dedicated staff team, Swan has established the service at Mayfield House in Midlothian over the last ten years. She is passionate about delivering person-centred, outcomes-based support in a highly inspiring and therapeutic environment. Within the senior management team, Swan is involved with the delivery of the training programme, Social Therapy, member involvement and is part of the marketing team.
Ali
Day Service Manager, Gorgie Workshops
Ali has been part of the Garvald Edinburgh community for over 25 years and has managed a day service for the past eight. Her journey began at 19, working in a long-stay hospital, where she first discovered a passion for supporting adults with learning disabilities. This experience inspired her to complete a degree in Health Studies and eventually join Garvald, whose creativity and ethos aligned deeply with her own values. Over 17 years in the supported living service, Ali developed a special interest in Positive Behaviour Support and fostering a learning culture. She now delivers training to help both members and staff grow in confidence and creativity.
Paul
Day Service Manager, Mayfield House
Paul joined Garvald Edinburgh in 2013 with a broad working experience and knowledge in the arts, further/community education, and management. His initial connection with Garvald however started over a decade before this via a role where he actively supported adults with learning disabilities into a volunteering and employment opportunity.
Before moving into the senior management at Garvald Paul held several other roles including workshop leader and assistant day service manager. He has been part of Garvald Edinburgh’s Midlothian Service since its creation in 2014 and has played an integral part in the services growth and success.
He has a lifelong passion for supporting and empowering others to realise their abilities and strengths, demonstrated in his work with members and staff at Garvald Edinburgh. As a lead practitioner in the application of Positive Behaviour Support in our Midlothian service he has received commendation from NHS Learning Disability Team professionals for his work in this area and its values-based approach.
As well as holding degrees in the Arts and Science, Paul has a SCQF qualification in Care Services Leadership and Management to registered manager level.
Richard
Day Service Manager, Orwell Arts
Richard joined the Garvald community in the mid-1990s, bringing together his background in fine art, social care and education. Working as assistant to workshop leaders initially he gained experience in most workshops before initiating the exhibition programme and the creation of the Art Studio at Orwell Arts. He has been a Day Service Manager for over fifteen years and played a lead role in embedding an outcomes-based approach and the Positive Behaviour Framework within the organisation. He has been responsible for the development of the staff training programme and has a special interest in social therapy, both through the delivery of the social therapy training and in practice in the workshops.
Pinaach
Day Service Manager, Waterside Workshops
Pinaach holds a MA in Social Psychology. He joined Garvald in 2004 as bank/relief staff, earning a first payslip of £5.89, and has remained with the organisation ever since. Over the years, Pinaach has held various managerial roles and contributed to numerous positive developments across the organisation. He is known for his ability to build and sustain strong relationships, having a creative approach to problem-solving, and for being the go-to IT person for many colleagues. Currently, Pinaach is focused on fostering a more business-minded approach within the organisation.
Serena
Finance & Administration Manager
Bio to follow..