COMMUNITY COMPANY - Key Persons
Zander started working for the Community Company in 2018. He is currently on a seasonal contract working from April through to October and occasionally he is drafted in during the winter months to help with larger projects. He left us for a short while to work for Compass Building & Construction Services, but he hadn't gone far as he was helping to build the new houses at Caledonian Court. He was back again to join the team once that was completed.
Zander excels working with stone construction projects including wet and dry stone walling.
Chris was born and raised in Fort William before moving to Fort Augustus in 1994 with his long term partner Felicity. They rented a flat at The Old Convent while running a small B & B then starting a business building, shed, garages and stables. They bought the Old Convent in 2009, which was in a bad state of repair, they are still renovating but are running a self catering business from the renovated bit!
Music has always been a huge part of his life since learning the guitar as a teenager. He played in a school punk band, started a two piece cover band "The Bizz" with Hamish MacKay playing in pubs and clubs for about 10yrs. I took up the fiddle later in life and have played in a couple of traditional bands whilst also teaching guitar. I am currently in a cover band with another Director, Lorn MacKay.
He has been self- employed for many years preferring to ‘Plough his own furrow' in life and being told what to do by a boss really didn't work for him! Not one for authority and never having time for organisations, clubs, associations etc (he says the punk ethos never leaves you) He is about as far away from the stereotypical director type as you could get. So when it was suggested that he become a director he thought that since he loves this area and village he wanted to do his bit for the community coupled with his ideology and could bring something different to the Community Company…
Job Titles:
- Convent Land Development Officer
Chris joined FAGCC in July 2023 as the Development Officer for the community owned land at the Old Convent.
As a project manager with over 25 years experience, he is really looking forward to to the exciting challenge of sensitively and sustainably developing the Convent land for the benefit of local interest groups and the communities of Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston.
Chris has a passionate interest in nature and the environment, particularly tackling human induced climate change and Biodiversity Loss at a local level. He is also a keen sailor and has a great love of water and the sea.
Chris is delighted at opportunity to meeting and engaging with members of the local community and making a significant contribution to the local environment.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Facilities Officer
Many of you will know David from his 31 years in the police force, although hopefully just for his friendly smile and not because you got on the wrong side of the law! He finally decided to retire from the Police Force in early 2022 and has taken on the challenge of keeping Glenmoriston all spruced up and tidy. He works 2 days a week from April to October.
Previously a Director of the Community Company, David now enjoys making a difference to his community in a much more hands on way. David's role now includes making sure The Community Company complies with legislation and maintaining assets from houses to E-cars.
David loves travelling, cooking and gardening, now that he has the time and might be found enjoying a beer or two.
Donna joined the Community Company in April 2018, taking over the responsibility for bookkeeping, payroll and VAT. Donna is a Chartered Accountant; she qualified in 2003 and has been a member of the Institute for Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) since 2012. The majority of her accountancy career has been spent working in the property industry, initially in London and subsequently through her own company, operating from her home in Balnain, Glenurquhart. Donna also carries out voluntary accountancy work for a church in Inverness, and has worked voluntarily for other charities in the past.
In June 2023, Donna increased her involvement with the Community Company, taking on the role of Finance Manager. She enjoys working for smaller organisations where she can take a hands-on approach and be involved in all aspects of the finance operation. Working for the Community Company gives her the opportunity to be closely involved in the day-to-day finances; she carried out this role one day a week in the office at the village hall and two days from her home office.
In her spare time, Donna is currently in the process of climbing the Scottish Munros (all 282 of them); she is often accompanied on hikes by her dog, Meg. She also enjoys craft activities such as crochet, knitting and card making, amongst others. She is a Trustee of Junction Church Inverness and currently works voluntarily for them in a number of different areas.
Fiona is one of the Directors co-opted onto the Board in 2022.
As someone born and raised in Fort Augustus Fiona has a wealth of knowledge about growing up in the community.
Fiona left the Highlands for a while to study music at College in Glasgow and then headed off to explore Australia, where she tried her hand at farming Australian style.
Having returned to Fort Augustus she now juggles lots of different things from working at The Legion and her Mum's shop to singing in a rock band.
A busy lady, but she also wanted to become a Director at the Community Company. Her aim is to understand what is available to the community and to help and encourage them to take advantage of the opportunities.
Fiona is involved with the new community growing initiative a subject she is passionate about. She also helps out teaching children to sing, another of her passions.
Job Titles:
- Auxiliary Nurse
- Director of Tarff Trading
Fran re-joined the Board of Directors in December 2022 having enjoyed a three-year stint twelve years ago.
Fran from Lancashire, developed a love for Scotland after enjoying boating and caravan holidays with her family. This prompted Fran to move here eighteen years ago. Since then she has taken an active part in the community and first joined the board twelve years ago.
Previously an Auxiliary Nurse, Fran has developed a love for Scottish music and enjoys meeting with the Scottish Dancing Group in Invermoriston and throwing out a Dashing White Sergeant or two!
Fran also joins a local walking group every week and has created some good friendships over the years from it.
Also a Director of Tarff Trading, Fran joined the Board of Directors because she is keen on the area benefitting from more affordable housing and firmly believes in keeping the local hardware store, now Tarff Trading, as a community owned entity.
Improving leisure facilities and areas such as the local playpark is a route Fran would love to see explored.
Gordon joined the team in 2016 initially as a seasonal part time worker but soon found himself working all year round as a valued member of the team. Gordon spent most of his working life as a chef in various locations and local prominent business owner in Fort Augustus. He still currently runs two successful businesses from home as well as working for the community company.
There's not enough hours in a day for Gordon and his relentless drive and enthusiasm is impressive. His technical ability and being able to turn his hand to any task within a working day is his strength.
In his spare time Gordon enjoys family time, hands on projects and Land Rovers.
Job Titles:
- Operations Manager
- FAGCC As Administrator
Karen joined FAGCC as Administrator in 2019, when the office was first set up. She previously worked in corporate finance but spent many more years in the travel and tourism sector, both in corporate and charitable organisations.
Karen likes nothing better than organising things, from the Village Hall bookings to the plethora of paperwork that is needed. Her favourite part of the job though is when she gets to meet with grant applicants. She loves hearing about the ideas people have to benefit the community and trying to find ways to make that happen.
In her spare time Karen enjoys walking her dog, sewing, gardening and Scottish country dancing.
Along with Lynne, Michael is one of our newest Directors, joining the company in 2022.
Originally from Edinburgh, Michael moved to middle England in his early 20s to pursue his love of all things cars and motorsport related. Finding his calling, he has spent the last 20+ years working with cars and computers. Michael moved to the area in February 2021, setting up a small homestead with his family.
In his spare time, Michael enjoys being outside, rowing, football, mountain biking, motorsport, wildlife and bird watching, walking, and spending time with his family.
Ronald joined the Caretakers Team full time in 2016, but previously worked for the community company on a seasonal / temporary contract. Ron has been a groundsman most of his working life, within Lochaber and Inverness-shire districts. He spent many years working the grounds of the Fort Augustus Abbey before joining us.
Simon was welcomed to the team in July 2023 to support Karen in running the office and is thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to provide help to the community.
With an extensive history of customer facing roles, Simon brings valued work experience and a keen interest in being a part of the community. His previous roles include Business to Business sales, varied responsibilities over twelve years in the public transport industry and as Operations Director in Property Management and tourism industries.
Simon runs the local Martial Arts club at the Village Hall and is often travelling to support his students in national competitions.
He will, with Karen, manage grant funding and hall bookings amongst many other duties with the Community Company.