Our people

We couldn't do what we do without our fantastic team, volunteers and patrons.

Find out more about our people and how they help Leuchie provide its respite services.

Our allied health team

They're at the heart of everything we do here at Leuchie House. They have a wealth of experience in providing care and support for people living with neurological conditions.

The healthcare we provide

Our senior
leadership team

Our Senior Leadership team consists of (from left to right):

Emma Jenson, Director of Care and Health
Mark Bevan, CEO
Jade Clarke, Director of People and Finance

Our Board of Trustees

From left to right, find out below how each of our trustees bring their skills and experiences to help us be our best when delivering our sector leading respite services.

Shona Bell - People and Culture

Experience: I am originally from the Highlands and began my career with Marks and Spencer in 1997 on their graduate programme and proceeded to work in a range of Strategic HR, OD and People/Business Transformation roles in both stores and their London head office.

From 2007 I worked for a variety of businesses across multiple industry sectors until I joined Scottish Rugby as Director of Human Resources in June 2019. I was appointed to its Board as Director of People and Internal Communications in January 2021. In March 2021, my role expanded further to become Chief People & Engagement Officer and now includes all things People & Organisational Development and Safeguarding. I'm proud that I was the first female Executive Board Director to be appointed to the Scottish Rugby Board.

Why did you decide to become involved with Leuchie and what is your role?

I'm passionate about helping individuals, teams and organisations grow to reach their fullest potential, and developing organisational capability and providing the route map to embed target culture is a key part of my remit. I wanted to offer my expertise to help a great cause and Leuchie stood out for me. I hope I can help them through their ambitious growth trajectory to expand their offering.

Rob Harley - Corporate Engagement and Strategy

Experience: Most of my career has been in investment management – initially with Man Group in London and Switzerland, and latterly with Stewart Investors in Edinburgh, where I was a portfolio manager and carried out various business management responsibilities.

I also spent several years establishing and working for a charity that developed rural community livelihoods projects with partners in Africa and Asia.

Why did you decide to become involved with Leuchie?

My grandfather suffered from Parkinson's: I understood his sadness at having to depend completely on others to take care of him, without respite. As a North Berwick local, I knew about Leuchie, and some colleagues at work who were great Leuchie supporters encouraged me to get involved.

What do you do as a Leuchie trustee?

I contribute my experience in developing and helping grow organisations, engaging company leaders, and building partnerships.

Dr Maria Duffy - Health & Care

Experience: I was a GP Partner and Trainer in Pollok Glasgow and Director of final year undergraduate medicine at the University of Glasgow. I continues to work as a GP though now in rural and remote locations. I’m an Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at Glasgow University. During my career I was on the steering group for the Deep End GP Group, and the Community Links Worker Programme.

Why did you decide to become involved with Leuchie?

Over the years of working as a doctor in Glasgow I developed a clear understanding of the importance of holistic care and the stress that long term illness brings to those affected, their carers, and families. I have tried to do what I can to reverse the Inverse Care Law– this describes how people who need most health care are least likely to receive it. My work with Leuchie is part of tackling this inequality.

What do you do as a Leuchie trustee?
I provide advice on Care Quality issues, strategy and management. Excellent care is central to what we provide at Leuchie.

Su Gush - Treasurer

Graeme - Chair

Experience: I began my career as a Chartered Accountant with Arthur Young in Edinburgh before moving into banking with Adam & Company, overseeing finance, regulatory, and company secretarial matters as part of the senior management team. I joined the start up Scottish Widows Bank in 1994 as Finance & Operations Director, rising to CEO in 2003 driving significant growth and profits in this mortgage and savings bank. In 2013, I became the CEO of Hampden & Co, the first new private bank in the UK for 30 years, leading its launch through team building, strategic planning, and successful capital raising during a challenging financial climate. Under my leadership, the bank became a well-respected, profitable institution with a strong client-focused culture and over £1 billion in assets.

Why did you decide to become involved with Leuchie?

I first came into contact with Leuchie about 10 years ago when I was the Chief Executive of Hampden& Co. I was so impressed with the charity and the impact it makes that I felt it really deserved the support that the bank decided to give it. Retiring from my role at Hampden has given me more time to give back and get involved and Leuchie is a charity that was right at the top of the list of things that I would have liked to get involved in.

What do you do as Leuchie chair?

As Chair I lead the Board of Trustees, help steer the Charity's governance and strategic direction and work closely and support the CEO and senior leadership team.

Leuchie House Patrons

HRH Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, pictured at Gatcombe Park in a photograph taken to mark her 70th birthday which falls on August 15th 2020.

Please note this photograph can only be used without fee until September 5th 2020 and only if used in strict editorial context of her 70th birthday. The image cannot be cropped manipulated or altered any way. No other usages, commercial or otherwise are permitted.
Obligatory credit: Photograph by JOHN SWANNELL/CAMERA PRESS.

HRH, The Princess Royal

HRH The Princess Royal is our Patron and a frequent visitor to Leuchie. Through HRH’s conversations with guests, carers, volunteers and supporters we see first-hand HRH’s commitment and support of the work we do. Her insight and advice is inspiring to us all and drives us to continually find new ways to support carers and those for whom they care.

Gavin Hastings OBE

Former Captain of Scotland and British Lions Rugby, Gavin Hastings has been a patron of Leuchie House since 2015. Gavin, whose wife Diane was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2003, has been a supporter of Leuchie House since he volunteered his services as host for Leuchie’s flagship fundraiser, the Ascot Gold Cup Tea, in 2014 and 2015 and continues to support Leuchie events.

Mairi O'Keefe MBE

Mairi O’Keefe became patron of Leuchie House after retiring as Chief Executive in 2018. A former nurse and airport manager, she led Leuchie’s transformation into an independent charity in 2011. As CEO, she influenced national policy through roles in the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, and the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland.