Dr Maqsood Ahmed (Chair) Expand Max joined the Support in Mind Scotland Board as a trustee in 2018 and has been Chair since 2019. Max obtained his PhD from University College London (2011) and has subsequently worked across diverse areas of biomedical research both in the UK and internationally. Following a career in academic science at the University of Edinburgh where he specialised in neuroscience and stem cell biology; he is currently a Principal Scientist (Neuroscience) at Concept Life Sciences Translational Biology division based in the Edinburgh BioQuarter. When not thinking about brains, Max is a long suffering fan of the Scottish football and rugby teams, enjoys live music, and is an avid traveller.
Norman Craig (Chair of Finance Committee) Expand Norman joined the Board in 2018 having previously been on the main Board of Samaritans and for 25 years a volunteer with them, where mental illness in all its forms often plays a heavy part in the lives of those who phone or make contact. That lived experience should prove valuable in providing a breadth of understanding of the challenges faced by those who endure mental illness and of those who care for them. To look beyond what ails to listen to what's being said. Before retiral, Norman was a Director with Aon Corporation specialising in liability and property Insurance.
Annette Calder Expand Annette shared her story with us in the hope that it will encourage others to seek help in difficult times.
Nicole Bell Expand Nicole Bell is Support in Mind Scotland’s Young Trustee. She has worked and volunteered in various capacities for a number of non-profit organisations concerned with mental, physical and social health and holds an MA (Hons) in Psychology. She is particularly passionate about the link between mental and physical health – and achieving parity of esteem between the two. Nicole is also keen to ensure that the voices of carers of those affected by mental illness – whether that be young people or adults – are represented and recognised. In her leisure time, Nicole enjoys walking, arts festivals and exhibiting at cat shows.
Jim McGhie Expand Jim McGhie (Lord McGhie) was brought up in Perth but his professional life was in Edinburgh. He is a retired judge. His interest in mental health stemmed initially from the experience of his mother who had severe bi-polar disorder in the 1960s - when there was little support for patients and even less for families. Jim has had more recent experience as a carer, including experience of the services at Huntercombe and the Priory in Scotland, and the Bethlem Royal Hospital south of London, as well as a keen appreciation of the work of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. He responded to a call for Advocates to support SiMS and hopes to be able contribute positively to the work of the Board.
Marius Pelser Expand Marius Pelser, a Business Architect who lives and works in Edinburgh, was appointed a charity ambassador in 2018 and joined the Board of Directors early in 2019. He has also run and cycled in a series of events, raising thousands of pounds for Support in Mind Scotland, and will paticipate in a middle distance Triathlon event in Nottingham this summer. Marius - a former police officer in South Africa who has raised awareness around the mental health condition PTSD - blogs about mental health, fundraising, and other things. Visit it here.
Ian Stewart Expand Ian Stewart is a journalist and author. He was editor of The Scotsman from 2012 to 2017, and before that was editor of Scotland on Sunday and the Edinburgh Evening News. Before becoming a journalist he served in the Royal Marines with 40 Commando, 41 Commando and 45 Commando Group. Ian is also a trustee of Sadaya and the Veterans Community Cafe, a charity that supports veterans, particularly those with mental health issues. He enjoys mountain biking, sailing and shooting, and is also a qualified bicycle mechanic. He is married with two grown-up children, and lives in Edinburgh.
Audrey Connolly (Vice-Chair) Expand Audrey joined Lloyds Banking Group in 2006 and currently performs the role of Head of Quality. Audrey has over 20 years general management experience (Operations, Retail, Commercial, Programme Management and Strategy) in the UK and Australian financial services sector. Audrey is a member of Lloyds’ Scottish Executive Committee and in this role is a passionate advocate for inclusion & diversity, in addition to leading on our strategy for supporting children and young people across Scotland through skills based volunteering. As a previous winner of the Young Banker of the Year and an externally recognised diversity champion, she has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to role modelling, mentoring and community activity. Audrey holds a Masters degree from Glasgow University and a MBA from Strathclyde Graduate Business School. Audrey says: “In recent years we’ve seen a huge increase in interest in mental health and a corresponding increase in the demand for services. SiMS does such amazing work all across Scotland to support people with mental illness and to support those who love and care for them. I am so proud to be able to play my small part to help SiMS grow and evolve in this ever-changing landscape for the benefit of our members and the community in general”