Board Members & Leadership
Garvald Strategic Management Team and Board Committee Members
Strategic Management Team
Colum
CEO
Colum joined Garvald Edinburgh as Chief Executive in 2023, bringing more than 15 years of senior leadership experience in social care and the third sector. He leads the charity’s strategic direction, organisational development, and long-term financial sustainability, working in collaboration with trustees, staff, and partners to deliver high-quality, creative day services for adults with social, emotional, and learning disabilities.
His career includes senior roles within the Camphill movement and the creation of a social enterprise that offered bespoke supported holidays for adults with complex additional needs. Colum’s leadership is values-led and person-centred, shaped by a lifelong belief in the power of community, creativity, and inclusion. He is committed to developing innovative services, strengthening governance, and building sustainable partnerships that enable long-term impact.
Swantje
Day Service Manager, Mayfield House
With a background in photography, journalism and education Swan initially joined Garvald Edinburgh as puppetry workshopleader. She brought extensive experience of teaching in both mainstream and Steiner/Waldorf schools and leading creative community initiatives with a focus on health and wellbeing.
In the puppetry Swan supported members to find their voice and creative expression and to contribute to the wider community through developing and performing productions filled with colour, sound and movement.
As day service manager Swan has set up and Mayfield House, a new service in Midlothian. Over the last tean years which she has further developed over the last ten years Swan is passionate about delivering person-centred and outcomes-based support with a highly skilled and motivated staff team in an inspiring and therapeutic environment. Within the senior management team Swan is involved with the delivery of the training programme, Social Therapy, member involvement and 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 an undergraduate degree in science and a master’s 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..