ADVOCACY SERVICE ABERDEEN - Key Persons


Antonio Gonzales

Job Titles:
  • Read My
Antonio was born in the Philippines and migrated to Aberdeen in 2006. He attended Robert Gordon University via distance learning achieving an Honours Degree in Business Management and an MSc in Project Management. A parent of a child with additional support needs, Antonio has first-hand experience of the issues that parents must contend with daily. His skills and experience predominantly rest in the world of Oil and Gas, particularly in Supply Chain Management, Project Management and Strategic Planning, skills which he brings to the board of ASA with much enthusiasm and passion. "I joined ASA at the start of 2017 as it is an organisation that is close to my heart. Although I do not have experience working in the social sector, this also serves as an advantage providing impartial and unbiased counsel to the board. I aspire that one day everyone who has a right to advocacy will be able to access it to ease their pain and struggle and ultimately improve their quality of life."

Clare Lai

Job Titles:
  • Read My
Clare was born and brought up in Scottish Borders of Polish/Irish/Scottish extraction. She was strongly influenced by contact with local services for people with learning disabilities and the very forward-thinking psychiatric hospital. She met her husband at university in Aberdeen and post qualifying "social worked "in Aberdeen before having family. After her first child, she was ill with post-natal psychosis and hospitalised but had no recurrence of this issue been after 2 subsequent children. Clare worked for 11 years in a local charity providing drop-in services for people with mental health problems when her children were young. During that time, she got involved with advocacy service for people with mental health issues - a service which became part of what is now ASA. She moved on to working for Cornerstone for 10 years managing Aberdeen services initially then in HR roles (having re-trained) Scotland wide. Redundancy required a change of direction into the private sector which she feels was a new and enriching window on the world. She worked for a Freight Forwarding Company initially and then 4 years with a Norwegian Company providing control systems for vessels and subsea acoustic equipment. In January 17, she stopped work to help look after her grandchildren, develop her interest in mediation through voluntary work with SACRO, and catch up on neglected household projects. "My work and personal experiences have shown me the importance of having one's voice heard and listened to, hence my continued belief in the importance of independent advocacy."

Derek King

Job Titles:
  • Read My
  • Trustee of the Archie Foundation at the Royal Aberdeen Children 's Hospital
Derek was born and brought up in Elgin. He attended Aberdeen University and spent most of his working life in Aberdeen. He is married with two children. Derek worked in the Health Service from 1976 to 2015. He was a Consultant Haematologist to NHS Grampian from 1986 until retirement in 2015 and provided clinical service at Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital for patients with blood diseases and cancer, and laboratory haematology service for general practices and hospitals in Grampian. Derek held various administrative posts in NHS Grampian and in the Scottish Managed Service Network for Children and Young People with Cancer. Derek is currently doing regular teaching of biomedical scientists in Haematology Laboratory at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Derek is a trustee of the Archie Foundation at the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital from 2019. He is a committee member for the organisation of annual carol concert for CLICSargent charity which supports children and young people with cancer and their families.

Donna MacLean

As a mother of a child who had additional supports needs, Donna volunteered as an advocate for parents whose children also have additional support needs and thoroughly enjoyed this role and the support she was able to provide. Following her time as an advocate, Donna joined as a board member at ASA in 2006 but then left for a time due to work commitments before re-joining the board in January 2019.

Kirsten McKinnon

Originally working in the food industry, and then a long period as an at home Mum, Kirsten went back to university to study law and now works as a solicitor, specialising in private client work with a particular interest in adults with incapacity and elderly care planning. During her law degree she studied alternative methods of resolving disputes. This led to Kirsten seeking an appointment to a Board position with ASA.

Pat Robins

With a long-standing concern for the unique needs of carers, she worked closely with the Carers' Centre and for a local charity providing respite care for people with learning disabilities and was a member of the Board of Shared Care Scotland.

Sue Barnard

Originally working in the food industry, and then a long period as an at home Mum, Kirsten went back to university to study law and now works as a solicitor, specialising in private client work with a particular interest in adults with incapacity and elderly care planning. During her law degree she studied alternative methods of resolving disputes. This led to Kirsten seeking an appointment to a Board position with ASA. Now retired Sue is still very much involved in carers' issues and respite. She is also a director of Shared Care Scotland and Grampian Children's Respite Care.