Trustees

Our Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance of the charity and has been drawn from across the country. While, in the past our board was drawn principally from learning disability charities and universities, we now have a board of entirely independent trustees, drawn from the whole population. No trustee has a financial interest in the company. All trustees complete the register of interests.  Our Chairperson is Eddie McConnell, who was appointed by the Board in 2018.

Dr Fiona Whelan

Dr Fiona Whelan

Trustee

Fiona is an Assistant Principal Officer within the Higher Education Authority in the Republic of Ireland. She was previously Assistant Director for Accessibility and Inclusion at the University of St Andrews. She has a background in education, access, student welfare and disability services. Fiona is Chair of the Remuneration and Nominations Committee and has been a Trustee since 2022.

Ann Dougan

Ann Dougan

Chair

Ann brings lifelong lived experience of learning disability as a sibling and carer. She joined the SCLD Board in 2017, having previously served as a Board Member at Quarriers. During her time as a trustee, Ann has chaired several board committees and served as Vice-Chair before being appointed Chair in 2025. Alongside her board roles, Ann has worked as a senior executive, business advisor and interim manager across the private, public and voluntary sectors. She enjoys staying active, the arts, and spending time with family and friends.

Kenneth Watt

Kenneth Watt

Trustee

Kenneth Watt is the Head of Devolved Nations at the Competition and Markets Authority. His background is in policy, public affairs and communications, with previous roles at the British Red Cross, Oxfam and the Scottish Parliament. He joined the board in 2022 and his younger sister has a learning disability.

Marion Gillooly

Marion Gillooly

Vice Chair

Marion is an Independent Celebrant, who was previously Executive Director of The Dollywood Foundation UK. Marion joined the Board at SCLD in 2017.

Iain Nisbet

Iain Nisbet

Trustee

Iain is an Education Law Consultant at Cairn Legal, and former Chair of the Scottish Government Advisory Group on Additional Support for Learning. He joined the Board at SCLD in 2017.

Jan Savage

Jan Savage

Trustee

Jan is the Executive Director of Scottish Human Rights Commission and was previously Director of ENABLE Scotland. She joined the SCLD board in 2022.