Team

Trustee Board

Ian Harrower (Chair)

With over twenty years of experience as a freelance festival and event producer, Ian Harrower has overseen numerous notable projects, including Scotland's Scotland'sstival, The Big Tent (Scotland's Scotland'stal Music Festival), the Royal Highland Show, and Gardening Scotland. His dedication to community engagement extends to serving on the Cockburn Association, Fife Young Carers, and Young Enterprise Scotland boards, making him a valuable asset to our organisation.

Christine South

Originally from Linlithgow, Christine South pursued her passion for History and History of Art at Edinburgh University. Her diverse career took her from the civil service to teaching English in Turkey and working in publishing before fulfilling her dream of working in theatre, touring with various classical and contemporary companies for four years. In 1995, she joined the Red Cross Movement, where she dedicated over two decades to partnership development, resource mobilisation, and disaster response in places such as Kosovo, Sri Lanka, and Liberia. Now retired and residing in Cupar, Fife, Christine immerses herself in music and culture with the Cupar Choral Society and the St Andrews Chorus, along with exploring local art and theatre.

Jenni Gudgeon

Jenni Gudgeon is a passionate writer, photographic artist, and librarian with over twenty years of experience fostering community connections in the Howe of Fife. She has played a pivotal role in various initiatives, including Smart Communities Fife, the Dunshalt Community Association, and the recent launch of the Dunshalt Community Shop. Jenni’s dedication to community building shines through her work and artistic endeavours.

Anna Chworow

Anna Chworow is an accomplished Accountant and the Deputy Director of Nourish Scotland. With extensive experience in strategic development within the third sector, Anna has contributed to organisations such as Take One Action Film Festivals and the International Association for Community Development. Her capacity-building and resource development expertise make her an invaluable member of our board.

Amber Shaw-Smith

Amber Shaw-Smith brings a wealth of customer experience from her background in the competitive Airline Industry and human resources at Harrods in Knightsbridge, London. Originally from California and now residing in Fife with her Scottish husband and two children, Amber is also a part-time web designer for local businesses. She has recently enhanced her skill set with qualifications in Data Visualization, Responsive Web Design, JavaScript Algorithms, and Front End Development Libraries.

Heids & Herts Advisory Panel

Professor Karen McArdle, FRSA
Professor Emerita, University of Aberdeen

With over thirty years of experience in adult education within community contexts in Australia and the UK, Professor Karen McArdle has dedicated her expertise to enhancing health and wellbeing. Most recently, she researched the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in Fife, Scotland. Karen has just completed her third book, which focused on gathering evidence of the impact of community work. She is writing her fourth on the theory and practice of community engagement. As a mentor for the Education Institute of Scotland’s action research for educators, she is keenly interested in the intersection of the arts, health, and wellbeing. Additionally, she teaches research methodology at the Centre for Medical Education at the University of Dundee.

Monica Ferguson
Chief Executive & Artistic Director, The Stables, Milton Keynes

Monica Ferguson oversees the artistic and business development of The Stables, a renowned venue founded by Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine in 1969. Delivering over 350 concerts and more than 250 music education projects annually, she is also the festival director of the IF: Milton Keynes International Festival. Monica is committed to engaging communities with the arts and successfully navigating organizational transformations to build sustainability.

Graeme White
Global Head of Inward Investment, Strategy, and New Investment, Scottish Development International

As a specialist in international trade and development, Graeme White has over eight years of experience at Scotland's foreign direct investment agency. His expertise encompasses international negotiations, business development, and global marketing. Previously, he held the role of Head of Tourism, focusing on tourism inward investment and international development.

Mark Turner
Creative Director, Producer of Screen Content, Script and Pitch Writer

Mark Turner is an award-winning documentary filmmaker who played a key role in delivering the opening and closing ceremonies of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. He brings valuable experience from his recent service on the board of Plus Perth & Kinross, a mental health charity and social movement.

Peter McCaughey
Lead Artist / Director, Wave Particle

Peter McCaughey is the Lead Artist behind Art & Living: Laurieston, an award-winning 10-year art strategy for South Glasgow. With experience as Vice Chair of WASPS Artists Studios and as a former Vice President of the Scottish Artists Union, he is a Senior Lecturer in the Sculpture and Environmental Art Department of the Glasgow School of Art. Peter teaches mapping tactics across the UK and Europe and has curated and delivered both temporary installations and permanent commissions, focusing on community animation and place-making projects throughout the UK.

Gill Musk
Planning Team Member, Fife Council

Gill Musk is dedicated to addressing health inequalities and community wellbeing through her work with Fife Council's planning team. She has previously served as Development Manager at the International Association for Community Development and the Ecology Centre in Kinghorn. With a background in languages and intercultural skills, Gill has volunteered as a befriender and mental health advocate.

David Venters
Head of Technical and Operations, Byre Theatre, University of St Andrews

David Venters holds a BSc in Audio Engineering from the UHI Millennium Institute and is an experienced sound engineer. With a history of working with high-profile artists like Mick Taylor (The Rolling Stones) and PJ Harvey, he has provided technical support for a wide range of events, including live music performances, theatre productions, pantomimes, and festivals. Since May 2019, David has managed the Technical Team at the Byre Theatre, overseeing all aspects of production, venue management, and health and safety.