Annual Conference 2024

Fiona is Founder and Chief of Engagement at CentreStage. CentreStage’s vision to create a community where everyone can experience the joy of music, the arts and wellbeing and seamlessly access all they need to flourish in life, has been being driven through the £5.2 million regeneration of Scotland’s largest community-led asset transfer to date, at the regenerated 1.8 hectare site of the former Kilmarnock Academy, where a diverse range of over 20 private, public and third sector organisations are now working together to create a fully integrated eco-system of support and opportunity for all.

Before founding CentreStage in 2006, Fiona hosted a 20 year long career as a secondary school Principal Teacher of Music.

She is an Entrepreneurial Founder at the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship at Strathclyde Business School, and is also privileged to have received the Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary International; Association of Scottish Businesswomen Woman of Inspiration Award and Association of Scottish Businesswomen Outstanding Contribution Award.

She currently serves as director of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraisers. 

Fiona was awarded the OBE in the King's First Birthday Honours List and was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters from Caledonian University.

Leah has led the development of Regenerative Futures Fund since 2022 whilst seconded to EVOC from her role as Chief Executive at Whale Arts. Leah will continue to lead the fund from within the team at Foundation Scotland from July 2024.

Leah is seconded to EVOC for 12 months from her role as Chief Executive of Whale Arts in Wester, a community-led arts charity and social enterprise. Previous to this role, Leah worked in the Creative Industries Team at Creative Scotland as a craft specialist having trained and worked as a jeweller and silversmith. Before working in a funding role with Creative Scotland, Leah was Director of Upland CIC in Dumfries and Galloway and has been a board member of Craft Scotland, The Stove Network and is currently a Warden of the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh.

Andrew Penker Chartered FCIPD MIoL, Associate Director at Bruce Tait Associates 

Andrew has gained over 30 years’ experience in national, international and global HR roles with Hilton Hotels Corporation, Royal Bank of Scotland, Vets Now, and ICAS – the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

He is an independent HR Consultant delivering strategic projects, change initiatives, organisational design, communication, and team development with coaching and mentoring, for clients including BTA – Bruce Tait Associates, MND Scotland, Citizens Advice & Rights Fife, and M&T Hotels.

Andrew is the Founder of XSectorMentor.com, a mentor development programme for companies to start and scale mentoring in their company, and across professions and sectors.

He is the Associate Director of BTA Knowledge, leading on the delivery of Insights, influence, and consultancy for the charity sector in Scotland, and sits on the CIPD Scotland Policy forum.

Andrew is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, and a Member of the Institute of Leadership. He holds a Masters in HR Management, Certificate in People Analytics (Wharton), and is a certified Coach (AoEC), and accredited Mentor (EMCC). He is a licenced Thomas International Practitioner.

Andrew is a Judge for the prestigious annual HR Networks Scotland awards

Aida joined Thrive at Five in 2021 after almost a decade at The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, most recently as its Chief Advisor. Aida led the Foundation’s early years work and managed its portfolio of mental health programmes.

She moved into the voluntary and charity sector after a first career of 18 years as a barrister and solicitor. She worked 13 years in private practice.

In 2012, Aida transitioned into the third sector and has devoted much of the last 8 years to work that supports the needs of children, young people and the communities around them. She has designed and managed strategies focusing on mental health and early childhood development. Working at The Royal Foundation for over 7 years has also afforded opportunities to drive projects like the inaugural Invictus Games and the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce.

Aida is also a Governor of a school in Haringey and has been a trustee of Family Action since 2012. She is also a member of the Endeavour Fund Advisory Board.

Julie is the Technical Director for Philanthropy and Charities with LGT Wealth Management, and a national policy expert in the field of charity governance. Julie graduated with a First in Law from University of Edinburgh and specialised in private client work, including philanthropy and the creation of charities. Julie’s depth of understanding of the varied legal structures involved in the non-profit sector enhances the support she provides to LGT’s clients.

Julie’s experience in the philanthropy and grant making sector covers both the donor and donee perspectives. Her strategic philanthropy work with clients involves dialogue to enable clients to reflect and come to a view on the structure of their future philanthropic activities, which often involves an international element. Julie has experience of a full range of structures in this area, including donor advised funds (DAF’s) as well as trust and corporate-based entities. This includes her liaison with the charitable foundation established by LGT’s owning family, known as LGT Venture Philanthropy, which operates in Africa and India.

Many grant making institutions are also public bodies, and Julie’s experience in this sector stems from roles supporting OSCR, the Scottish Charity Regulator, and the NHS. In 2018, Julie was the project manager and co-author of OSCR’s investment guidance for trustees. In 2019, Julie was asked by the Scottish Government to Chair the Review of Governance of NHS Endowment Funds, producing a report with recommendations to strengthen the governance of these grant making bodies.

Julie has pursued her interest in sustainability through post-graduate studies in Sustainable Leadership. She is also a former board member of SEPA, Scotland’s Environment Protection Agency, and a founding member of the Scotland Advisory Group of the Environmental Funders Network, which brings together philanthropists and grant makers in this field. Through her private and public sector roles, and the international dimension to her work and outside interests, Julie brings a unique breadth and depth of experience to the insight and guidance she provides to LGT’s clients.

This event is for trustees and executives working in the third-sector across the United Kingdom.

Event Timings:

• 9.30 am - 10.00 am Registration

• 10.00 am - 10.10 am Welcome and introduction

• 10.10 am - 10.50 am Morning session One

• 10.50 am - 11.20 am Morning session two

• 11.20am - 11.30 am Coffee/ networking and comfort break

• 11.30 am - 11.50 am Session with Bruce Tait Associates

• 11.50 am - 12.10 pm Annual Members Meeting 2024

• 12.10 pm - 12.20 pm Comfort break

• 12.2o pm - 1.30 pm Networking Lunch

• 1.30 pm - 2.20 pm Presentation from IVAR

• 2.20 pm - 3.00 pm Afternoon session One

• 3.00 pm - 3.10 pm Comfort break

• 3.10 pm - 3.30 pm Roundtable discussion

• 3.30 pm - 3.50 pm Afternoon session 2

• 3.50 pm - 4.00 pm Closing remarks

Cost:

Members

Member organisations receive discounted tickets and group options as a member benefit.

• SGM member – Individual (x1): £50

• SGM member – Duo (x2): £75

• SGM member - Trio (x3): £80

• SGM member – Team (x4): £100

Non- members

Non-members can purchase individual tickets for a standard rate at £125.

Ticket allocation is subject to venue capacity. All invoices will be raised two weeks prior to the conference.

Scottish Grantmakers’ Annual Conference is kindly sponsored by: