Alison MacLachlan
UK DirectorMeet the Team
Alison MacLachlan
“Managing the small, but highly effective, Wood Foundation team in the UK is a great privilege. As a team, we work closely with a number of strategic partners in order to realise our ambition to support Scotland’s next generation of enterprising, tolerant, caring young people.”
Our UK activity is dual focused. We have grown our contribution within the education sector where we deliver the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative and Global Learning Partnerships alongside our partnership with the Scottish Government to invest in our shared ambition of Improving Primary Science across Scotland. We also remain committed to investing in economic and education development projects in Scotland, particularly the North East, which support the vision of a successful and strong future.
Our people will always be our strength, and our impact is testimony to commitment, hard work, and belief in the work in which we engage. Our staff bring a range of experience and skill to the fore, including third sector development, project management, educational programming and a steadfast belief in the power and potential of our young people. Key to our UK projects are Jonathan Christie, Deputy UK Director, Georgea Hughes, Programme Manager and Gayle Duffus, National Education Officer for Primary Science, alongside a committed and loyal supporting team.
Alistair Buchan
Head of Finance and Commercial AffairsMeet the Team
Alistair Buchan
Alistair oversees all financial and commercial activities in both the UK and East Africa for TWF, TWFA and our various joint-venture subsidiaries. Although based in Aberdeen, Alistair travels regularly to East Africa and the majority of his day to day work relates directly to our Making Markets Work for the Poor portfolio. As our programmes continue to grow and develop, increasing time is dedicated to commercial and legal negotiation with supporting partners.
Jonathan Christie
Deputy UK DirectorMeet the Team
Jonathan Christie
Jonathan manages the development and delivery of YPI across Scotland, while also representing YPI Scotland with our international partners in Canada, USA and Northern Ireland. Supported by a dedicated team, Jonathan’s drive and commitment to empowering young people has ensured the successful evolution of YPI Scotland into a programme of national significance. Jonathan also supports our investments in AYG and RADS.
Georgea Hughes
Programme ManagerMeet the Team
Georgea Hughes
Joined in 2008, Georgea has great experience of all angles of TWF activity and previous investments. Now leading on TWF’s Global Learning Partnerships to support global citizenship across Scotland’s learning communities, Georgea also drives research and development on potential new areas of interest and investment for TWF.
Suzanne Mackie
Communications ManagerMeet the Team
Suzanne Mackie
Suzanne manages communications for The Wood Foundation, profiling our expertise and programmes to key stakeholders and audiences through platforms including press relations, marketing, publications, social media and web content. She also supports our investees with their communications requirements.
Gayle Duffus
National Education Officer for Primary ScienceMeet the Team
Gayle Duffus
Gayle works from Edinburgh and is seconded to Scottish Government (SG) for a 33 month period to provide consistency of leadership and support to the SG and TWF jointly funded RAiSE pilot; Raising Aspirations in Science Education. Gayle works across all ten pilot Local Authorities to coordinate activity while promoting and profiling good practice. Gayle coordinates the RAiSE National Steering Group and a 23 month external evaluation by Glasgow University’s Robert Owen Centre into the delivery and outcomes of the programme.
Lynsey Brosnan
YPI Scotland Programme CoordinatorMeet the Team
Lynsey Brosnan
Lynsey coordinates the delivery of YPI across Scotland, supporting schools to maximise the opportunities offered for their learning community while ensuring that all YPI resources are relevant and fit for purpose within the current education context. Lynsey liaises closely with our regional facilitation team to maintain a balance between a consistent programme offering across Scotland, which remains context specific for individual schools.
Lynsey is currently on a period of maternity leave.
Alex Reid
YPI Scotland Programme Coordinator (Maternity Cover)Meet the Team
Alex Reid
Alex is currently covering a period of maternity leave for our YPI Scotland Programme Coordinator.
Coordinating the delivery of YPI across Scotland, Alex supports schools to maximise the opportunities offered for their learning community, while ensuring that all YPI resources are relevant and fit for purpose within the current education context. Alex liaises closely with our regional facilitation team to maintain a balance between a consistent programme offering across Scotland, which remains context specific for individual schools.
Layla Edrich
YPI Scotland AdministratorMeet the Team
Layla Edrich
As our YPI Scotland Administrator, Layla deals with all initial enquiries and approaches regarding YPI, as well as being responsible for the programme’s grant management requirements to ensure timely and correct distribution of YPI awards. Layla supports the YPI central team as well as the wider regional facilitation team to ensure the smooth, consistent and efficient running of YPI across Scotland.
Angela Lyon
TWF AccountantMeet the Team
Angela Lyon
Angela is responsible for maintaining all TWF accounting records; TWF, TWFA, EATI and WFT Trading. This includes preparation of management accounts, statutory accounts and audit files while ensuring that our local branch offices are also compliant with local requirements. Angela liaises with TWF’s various partners to meet their financial reporting expectations and supports the preparation of all internal budgets and forecasts.
Kelly Work
Programme and Finance AdministratorMeet the Team
Kelly Work
Kelly supports administration across all areas of TWF UK activity, with specific focus on Global Learning Partnerships and grant management for the wider investment portfolio. As well as supporting IT and systems requirements, Kelly coordinates the TWF website and also provides financial administrative support to TWF’s accounting team.