THE GANNOCHY TRUST - Key Persons


A.K. Bell - Founder

Job Titles:
  • Founder

Ailsa Macmillan

Job Titles:
  • Journalist
Ailsa trained as a journalist and had a successful career in public relations before moving into fundraising. She has worked with a number of charities and currently works in the Development Department of the Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre. Ailsa's previous roles have been with Poppyscotland and Scottish Ballet. She has also volunteered for the children's panel and has a particular interest in housing. Ailsa joined The Gannochy Trust in 2020.

Ami Slokan

Job Titles:
  • Office Staff Member
  • Senior Administrator

Andy Duncan - CEO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Executive
  • Member of the Senior Management Team
Andy is responsible for the strategic direction of The Gannochy Trust. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, staff and strategic partners, he is driving the delivery of the aims and objectives of the organisation.

Bob McFarlane

Job Titles:
  • Office Staff Member
  • ICIOB - Assistant Estates Manager ( Property )

Bruce Renfrew

Job Titles:
  • Solicitor
Bruce has been a solicitor for over thirty years and is currently a partner in Thorntons specialising in property matters and advising clients on their personal legal affairs. Bruce is a member of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and has previously been involved with a number of local charities and fundraising campaigns. He is active in the local community in Perth and joined The Gannochy Trust in 2016.

Carol Annand

Job Titles:
  • Office Staff Member
  • Tenancy Officer

Carole Redford

Job Titles:
  • Administrator
  • Office Staff Member

David Gray

David was a partner in KMG Thomson McLintock (now KPMG) before moving into industry. He was Managing Director of Caledonian Paper, Finance Director of Scottish Hydro-Electric, Business Development director at SSE and Chair of EMEA capital markets at DTZ. Before he retired, he had a number of non-executive directorships over 20 years, including Scottish Water and several public and private companies. For many years he taught and mentored on The Prince's Trust enterprise programme. David joined the board of The Gannochy Trust in 2016 and served as chair from February 2019 to June 2023.

Fiona Russell

Job Titles:
  • Grants Manager
  • Member of the Senior Management Team
A long-standing member of staff, Fiona leads and manages the areas of grants, finance and administration. As grants manager, Fiona supports all aspects of the grant making process, from supporting the review and development of the Trust's grants strategy, to managing the grant application process, and developing and maintaining constructive relationships with charities and grant-holders.

Gilbert Valentine

Job Titles:
  • Estate Manager
  • Member of the Senior Management Team
Gilbert manages all of the Trust's estate assets, from the housing, to parks, woodland and farms. Working closely with the management team, Gilbert overlooks all the major development projects and develops strategic plans for the wider estate.

Jen Morrison

Job Titles:
  • Administrator
  • Finance
  • Office Staff Member

Mr Brian MacLean

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Gardens and Grounds Workers Team

Mr David Drysdale

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Gardens and Grounds Workers Team

Mr Euan Sinclair

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Gardens and Grounds Workers Team

Mr Ryan Foster

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Gardens and Grounds Workers Team

Mr Stuart Monro

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Gardens and Grounds Workers Team

Roland Bean

Job Titles:
  • Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees
Roland spent his working life as a town planner with Perth and Kinross Council and its predecessor, latterly as the Head of Planning, before taking early retirement and working in Zambia with the Voluntary Service Overseas. Roland has extensive experience with charities, having been a trustee for a number of local and national organisations. Roland has recently stepped down after 9 years as a Commissioner of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland. Roland joined The Gannochy Trust in 2017 and was appointed vice chair in July 2023.

Ruth Ogston

Ruth has worked in the charitable sector for nearly thirty years and currently works as the Fundraising Manager for Refuweegee. Previously Ruth's focus was in the performing arts working with organisations such as National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Opera and 7:84 Theatre Company. Ruth has a particular interest in supporting vulnerable children and young people. She has volunteered for the children's panel and is currently a respite foster carer. Ruth joined The Gannochy Trust in 2020.

Stephen Hay

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Stephen is an investment specialist, having worked for Goldman Sachs for twenty years, the last eight years of which he was a managing director. He is now a consultant focussed on finance, healthcare, and innovation. Stephen has previously served on a number of health boards, including Tayside as a non-executive director. He is currently a governor of Strathallan School. Stephen joined the board of The Gannochy Trust in 2016, and served as vice chair from February 2019 to June 2023. He was appointed chair in July 2023.

Steven Greig

Job Titles:
  • Development Manager
  • Member of the Senior Management Team
Steven's role is to maximise the impact of the Trust's grant-making, facilities and resources to develop opportunities for the benefit of people, communities and organisations. This includes managing the Perth and Kinross Strategic Youth Work Partnership, supporting The Gannochy Trust community and managing events and training initiatives.