Meet The Board

Chairperson and Trustee

Chris joined Aberdeenshire Council as a Principal Planning Officer before becoming the Area Manager for Buchan, a position he held for over 20 years before recently retiring.

Chris is a keen supporter of the Third Sector, and brings considerable insight into the diverse communities that make up Aberdeenshire, along with many of the challenges that they face.

Vice Chair and Trustee

Fiona began her career in the merchant navy, traveling the world, most memorably to the Antarctic in 1988/89. She has spent the last 23 years working in various corporate and agency PR, marketing, and CSR roles, as well as almost a decade in leadership in the charitable sector. Fiona brings a wealth of knowledge of both the corporate and charitable sectors across the UK and globally, a depth of understanding of cross-sector partnership working, and a passion for bringing these sectors closer together to achieve shared goals that make business and social sense. Currently CEO of Bennachie Leisure Centre which promotes health and well-being amongst its community, Fiona lives near Lumsden, Aberdeenshire. 

Treasurer and Trustee

Fiona brings a strong strategy and general business background to AVA, having spent almost 30 years delivering practical solutions to strategic, organisational and commercial issues for organisations of all sizes. She lives in Tarves, where she is on the board of her local development trust and community council. Fiona is also a director of the social enterprise, Wood Recyclability and an adviser to and supporter of Scottish start-ups and young businesses companies.

Director and Trustee

Mike is a trained Engineer and Co-Founder of the digital training company Norwell EDGE. Committed to the third sector through his long term involvement in community planning and empowerment, Mike is proud to serve as the Chairperson and a Trustee to AVA.

Through his company Mike works alongside a number of other charitable organisations, including the Axis Network, the Centre for Gender Equality Nigeria and the Association for Black and Ethnic Minority Engineers UK.

Director and Trustee

Born in Liverpool, by the late 70’s David's career in human resource management had brought him to Scotland; firstly Irvine on a new town development then Glasgow & Stirling in Local Government and the NHS. Before retiring, David was Executive Director at the Robert Gordon University (Aberdeen), carrying a broad governance portfolio – included HRM and Health & Safety.

With family all over he loves to travel. Regular interests include: world affairs, veggie growing, hillwalking & mountaineering. He presently volunteers with a meditation centre, supporting their charity governance and their meditation practices in the community.

Director and Trustee

Jim is an experienced manager with extensive experience from within the construction industry including strategic analysis, contract negotiations, project management, process analysis, and safety/quality control. Keen on supporting and promoting volunteering, Jim is committed to enabling AVA to support the growth and development of third sector organisations, and the outcomes they deliver across Aberdeenshire.