School Management Team

Gareth Warren

Principal

I read Pharmacology at Liverpool University before embarking on a PGCE at Bristol University specialising in Biology, Chemistry and General Science. A teaching career commenced that encompassed large comprehensive schools in England and Scotland, international education experience in Bermuda before entering the Independent Sector in Scotland.

I progressed from Deputy Headteacher at George Watson’s College to become Principal at Morrison’s Academy, Crieff for 6 years, before being appointed as Principal of George Heriot’s School in 2020. I hold the Scottish Qualification for Headship and a Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management from Edinburgh University.

Outside of school I enjoy relaxing through playing multiple sports, reading and spending time with my family.

Alastair Anderson

Head of Senior School

I am a historian and a sports coach of many years (mainly rugby and cricket), a musician and a champion of educational breadth both in and out the classroom. I cannot wait to get involved and immerse myself in such a rich environment.

Having grown up in Glasgow as a boy, and with family north of The Border, I am very excited to be in Edinburgh. I will certainly be at Murrayfield or The Hive as much as I can be as well as seeking to catch that first salmon on rod and line! I intend to make the very most of this wonderful opportunity to return to the land of my childhood, and I look forward to using my experience as a Headteacher in the service of the foundation and the wider community. I could not be more thrilled at the opportunity to work at arguably the best school in Scotland.

Alastair Morrison

Head of Junior School

As Head of Junior School, I have overall responsibility for the care and education of the children in Nursery to P7. Recruiting the most inspirational and diligent teachers ensures the children are in the best hands. Promoting the School to prospective pupils and parents gives me a lot of pleasure, for ours is an easy school to sell! After completing a PGCE at Durham, I cut my teaching teeth at The Edinburgh Academy, before joining Fettes as Deputy Head of the Prep School. My first Headship was of Feltonfleet School, in Surrey, before I returned to Edinburgh five years ago. I coach rugby and lead the school golf, a sport which is a passion for me in my ‘downtime’.

Kirsten O’Hagan

Deputy Head of Junior School

I began my career in Glasgow, teaching in a variety of state schools before working at Glasgow Academy. After moving to Heriot’s in 2000, I was promoted to Principal Teacher where I led staff professional development and our Learning Enhancement Department, introducing our very first philosophy lessons.

My leadership extended to take on all three Depute positions before being appointed Deputy Head in 2012 with responsibility for Learning and Teaching, Curriculum Development and Pastoral Care. In addition to my role at Heriot’s, I am an Associate Assessor for Education Scotland and regularly join inspection teams evaluating both independent and state schools.

My passion for learning, equality and diversity is reflected in my own studies as part of the Headship Qualification.

Adrian Semmler

Director of IT

I am responsible for directing the implementation, development, maintenance, security and support for the Information and Communications systems for the school and trust, which encompasses 3500+ pupils, staff, and parents.

I have over 20 years’ experience in Information Technology, working in education and corporate sectors and am a founding member of the Scottish Independent Schools, ICT Managers’ forum. My industry certifications include Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Cisco Certified Network Associate and ITIL Certificate in IT Service Management.

I teach part-time in the school’s Computing Science Department and have been involved in coaching rugby, cricket, and the school ski programme for a number of years.

Andrew MacLachlan

Director of Estates

I arrived at Heriot’s in July 2010. Prior to that time, I served for 27 years in the British Army, generally working with the Royal Engineers although my final appointment before joining the school was as the estates and logistics officer for the UN Buffer Zone in Cyprus.

My teams at Heriot’s look after the grounds, security, janitorial assistance, cleaning and disposal, purchasing and a myriad of maintenance requirements. Luckily, I have excellent teams because I am also responsible for managing the larger contracted projects that we undertake during the school holidays, and with an estate as old and as protected as ours this can be a complex problem.

In my spare time I am the Section Commander of our school RAF Section, organising flying experiences, camps and competitions for the pupils, and I continue to serve as a Reserve Officer at 230 Transport Squadron in Edinburgh.

Susan Donnelly

Director of Human Resources

I began my career as a Primary School teacher, having completed a BEd (Hons) degree at Edinburgh University. After a couple of years in teaching I changed careers, moving into education recruitment and then Human Resources. Having gained considerable management experience in retail, travel education and financial services, I joined Heriot’s in 2011 and established the School’s HR department.

I hold a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management from Napier University and am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Outside of school, I am married with two young daughters and enjoy cooking, music and escaping the city to the west coast as often as possible.

Lynda Fyffe

Director of Finance

I have been in finance for many years, with experience across practice, industry and financial services.  I studied Maths at Durham University, during which time I enjoyed spending a year abroad studying in Paris. 

Once I graduated, I moved to Edinburgh where I qualified as a Chartered Accountant. From here I moved from accountancy practice into the Financial Services sector where I held a number of roles in Group functions and in Corporate / Wholesale division. 

I moved from financial services to head up the finance function in several SMEs where I enjoyed making a real difference to businesses in renewable energy and in technology. I then joined George Heriot’s in January 2024.

Outside of school, I like to spend my free time with family, going for walks or riding my bike.

Miranda Henderson

Director of External Relations

I began my career in publishing for IDG Communications before moving into the creative industry in London, working for a Sales Promotion then an Advertising Agency where I installed ISO9001 and later became a Director.

At the point of motherhood, I started a Design Agency which I ran for 20 years, working with cross-industry companies in the UK and overseas, building an independent schools specialism in the process as a parent, a supplier and a Governor and lecturing at IAPS and AMCIS conferences nationwide. I am also a Chartered Marketer.

I joined Heriot’s in June 2019 and am responsible for overseeing Admissions, Development, Marketing and the School Office, only made possible by having a fantastic and committed External Relations team of 14.

Outside of school I like wild swimming, high altitude walking and flat coated retrievers.

Kirstie MacDonald

Director of Governance Risk and Compliance

Kirstie has a background in investment banking and has worked within relationship management and trading in London, Madrid, New York and Salt Lake City.

She holds an Executive MBA with interest in Governance, Risk and Ethics and has worked as a Non-Executive Director and whistleblowing champion in the NHS in England and Scotland.

Robert Simpson

Depute: Learning and Teaching

I completed my first degree in Divinity at the University of Glasgow before pursuing postgraduate studies at Princeton Theological Seminary and the University of Edinburgh.  Having decided to pursue secondary teaching as a career, I undertook a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) at the University of Strathclyde to qualify as a Teacher of Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies.  

Prior to joining Heriot’s as a Principal Teacher in 2011, I worked in state schools in the City of Edinburgh and West Lothian, whilst also pursuing further study in educational leadership at Stirling and Philosophy at St. Andrews. 

I have been a Depute in the Senior School since 2016 with responsibility for Learning and Teaching, including staff professional learning and development.  In recent years, I have completed Scotland’s national programme for aspiring headteachers (Into Headship) and gained a Master of Education degree in Leadership and Learning.  I am also an Associate Assessor for school inspections with Education Scotland.