Mrs Joyce Cullen
Chair of the Board of Governors
George Heriot was a Scottish Goldsmith and jeweller to King James VI of Scotland and is chiefly remembered today as the philanthropist who, upon his death, bequeathed his estate to found George Heriot’s Trust which in turn founded George Heriot’s School. Initially established to educate the ‘fatherless bairns of Edinburgh’, today the school continues his philanthropic legacy of educating young people who have lost a parent through its Foundation, and by widening access through the provision of Bursaries to children who could not otherwise afford a Heriot’s education. The operation and running of the school is overseen by the Board of Governors of George Heriot’s Trust, a Scottish Charity operating under the terms of the George Heriot’s Trust Scheme 2017.
Mrs Joyce Cullen has been Chair of the Board of Governors since July 2020. Professor Mark Strachen was Vice Chair until December 2024 and the Board subsequently voted to elect two Co-Vice Chairs, Mrs Louise Gibson and Mr Alasdair Humphery.
Chair of the Board of Governors
Chair of the Board of Governors
Joyce is a partner and solicitor advocate in Scotland’s largest Scottish law firm, Brodies and provides advice and advocacy for a wide range of organisations including universities, public bodies, trustees and, importantly, schools. She has served as a non-executive director in a variety of organisations, including GTS Scotland and the Scotland Office, and is currently a non-executive director of the Independent Monitoring Authority for the rights of EU Citizens.
Governor
Governor
Governor since 2023.
Paolo is a qualified Chartered Accountant and former Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) for the real estate division at abrdn plc. As COO Paolo was a member of the senior leadership team responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction whilst also having responsibility for a multi-disciplinary team of finance, tax, legal, ESG and other professionals. Paolo also sits on the Board of Edinburgh Napier University (“ENU”) and is Chair of the ENU Finance & Property Committee.
Convenor of the Bursary, Foundation and Scholarship Committee
Convenor of the Bursary, Foundation and Scholarship Committee
Governor since 2012
Kate is an independent educational consultant. She has had extensive leadership experience as headteacher, and as director in the Scottish Schools’ Inspectorate. Her specific responsibilities included the inspection programmes for independent schools and the development of supporting quality assurance frameworks. She has also inspected schools in the UAE.
Co-Vice Chair, Convenor people Committee
Co-Vice Chair, Convenor people Committee
Governor since 2023.
Louise is a Partner at Executive Search firm New Town Partnership which she co-founded in 2015. She works with many of Scotland’s largest and fastest growing businesses to develop high performing leadership teams. Louise began her career in strategy consulting with PwC, before holding roles in private equity and start-ups.
Co-Vice Chair
Co-Vice Chair
Governor since 2023.
Alasdair is a Chartered Surveyor with over 35 years of senior industry experience of agency, development & investment, and is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. He was previously International Director of JLL Incorporated and a Director of JLL UK Limited. Alasdair has served on the Policy Board of the Scottish Property Federation and was its Chairman in 2013/2014. He was recently the inaugural recipient of a Lifetime Membership Award for services to the property industry via the SPF. Alasdair was until recently a long-time member of the Investment Property Forum and is currently a Director of Caledonian Packaging (Holdings) Ltd.
Governor Representative on the Junior School Liaison Group
Governor Representative on the Junior School Liaison Group
Governor since 2016
After a career in tourism and marketing with VisitBritain, VisitEngland and VisitScotland Vineet turned to literary translation, having studied French at the University of Edinburgh and Princeton University, and Translating and Conference Interpreting at Heriot-Watt University. His translation of The Woman Who Didn’t Grow Old by Grégoire Delacourt was published in 2020, and his first translated children’s book, Panthera Tigris, in 2019. He is also Vice Chair of Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature.
Convenor of the Finance and Resources Committee
Convenor of the Finance and Resources Committee
Governor since 2017
Andrew is a Chartered Accountant and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accounts in Scotland. Andrew is Vice President of Finance for Wood Mackenzie, the global energy research business which he joined in 2013.
Convenor Charity, Philanthropy and Heritage Committee
Convenor Charity, Philanthropy and Heritage Committee
Paul has over 30 years’ experience in commercial growth strategy, in both corporate and voluntary roles. He has held a range of non-executive director and board positions, leading fundraising, and governance oversight. Paul attended Kings College in New Zealand, where he continues to be involved in academic philanthropy.
Convenor of the Education Committee and Acting Nominated Governor for Safeguarding
Convenor of the Education Committee and Acting Nominated Governor for Safeguarding
Governor since 2009
Until recently a senior lecturer in the University of Edinburgh School of Education, Dr Sangster held several roles including Deputy Director of Postgraduate Studies, and Director of the PhD and EdD doctoral Programmes and the PGDE English Programme. She is now an Honorary Fellow. Prior to joining the university, she taught in secondary schools for many years.
Governor
Governor
Governor since 2023.
Bryan is a Chartered Surveyor with over 30 years’ experience and is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. His career has covered Property Investment and Development throughout the UK across Commercial and Residential sectors. Bryan is a keen sports supporter and currently coaches youth rugby.
Join us on the 27 September to see George Heriot’s in full swing.
Meet teachers, explore academic departments, hear the pipe band, watch activities, and hear from school leaders.
Importantly, hear why your investment in a Heriot’s education will give your child strong foundations for life.