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, with highlights including a voyage to the Antarctic in 1988/89. She then moved into a 25-year career in corporate and agency PR, marketing, and CSR, working across both UK and global markets. Over these years she has also held senior leadership roles within the charitable sector, where she has helped organisations grow, strengthen income generation, and build positive, purpose-driven cultures.

Fiona is passionate about bringing together the corporate and charitable worlds to create partnerships that make both social and business sense, with a focus on driving lasting social change rather than short-term impact.

She is CEO of Fly Cup Enterprises, a charity providing training and employment opportunities to adults with learning disabilities, difficulties and differences, in the catering and hospitality sector.

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

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.