Board of Directors

I am originally from South Wales, although have lived in the Highlands for over 12 years after working in various parts of the country managing social projects. I studied at York College gaining qualifications in Business Management, and in Highland gained qualification in Housing Law and Practice.

I have been working for the Highland Council for just over 10 years in varied roles such as Contract Supervising Officer for Transport, Environmental, and Community Services before leaving to join the Housing Homeless Team where I gained experience working as a Homeless Officer before manging the Temporary Accommodation Team.

I was then fortunate enough to be offered the role of Housing Support Contract Manager, and am currently delivering, and managing a new project to the Council called Move On Project which tackles poverty, deprivation, and inequality for people who are most dis engaged from services that have an interest in their wellbeing. Move On is part of the European Social Fund.

My hobbies are supporting my national rugby team Wales, and Liverpool F.C. I enjoy watching various sports events, and historic programmes, as well as reading biographies or autobiographies of sports men and women, historical figures, historical, crime, scientific theories, and events.

Alastair is a retired GP having worked in Nairn for most of his career. Previously he has worked in Scotland, US, New Zealand, Australia and Nepal.

He was the clinical lead for the Nairn and Ardersier Total Fundholding Pilot, He became very involved with the mental health team, and this led to his long term interest in Cantraybridge.

He has worked with the Scottish Government on a large number of projects including the R&D Implementation Group. Multi agency Inspection for services for older people. Social Work inspectorate. NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, Joint Improvement Team, Cost Cube, Integrated Resource Framework, etc.

He has a long term interest in Community Hospitals and maternity care. Chairing SACH and representing Scotland in the UK wide CHA meetings

He has been a Community Councillor for 16 years and Chairs NICE Nairn/Team Hamish in its charitable role of regenerating a green sustainable Nairnshire with Fair Share Budgets,

He was awarded an MBE for his work on integrating Health and Social Care in Nairn and conservation work in Nairnshire including Loch Flemington.

I was born and brought up on the Black Isle where my family have lived for centuries.

I studied fine art at Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen, the Slade School of Fine Art, London and Konst Academie, Stockholm; I am an honorary fellow of the University of the Highlands & Islands.

Under my maiden name, Sue Jane Taylor, I am known for my work documenting the North Sea energy industry. I engage in community public art and have exhibited nationally and internationally in public and private galleries and museums.

As a parent of a son who is on the autistic spectrum I have experience of and personal insight into the challenges which these young adults have to live with in our society. I have a close connection with Cantraybridge College; my son lives in one of the college's flats located within the community of Inverness and he attends its day college.

I live with my husband, Ian Westacott near Dornoch, Sutherland. I have been a board member since 2021.

Jonathan was brought up in the Borders but finished his schooling in Nairn Academy. He went on to study Civil Engineering at Edinburgh then Social Work at Stirling University. Jonathan started his Social Work career in Central Region before coming to Highland where he focused on child-care and protection work. He developed a Disability Service for children for 10 years - making close links with adult learning disability services and being significantly engaged in policy and practice around Self-Directed Support for children. He and wife Ceri have two children. In April 2016, Jonathan began studying Theology at HTC in Dingwall, chairing a local organisation called Youth for Christ, doing a lot of administration for his church in Nairn and doing some work with the OU in supporting a Social Work student through her placement. Jonathan enjoys cooking, music and photography around Nairn. They both love the Western Isles and go when they can.

Roy was a founding Director of Highland Office Equipment Ltd and was there from 1974 until retiring in 2009. Roy was also involved at Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC and carried out various Directors duties over a 6 year period.

In his spare time he has worked on the Childrens Panel since 2010 and is also a past president of the Rotary Club of Loch Ness.

Married and living in Nairnside he is also kept busy with seven Grandchildren.

Stephen is a Rural Chartered Surveyor and Agricultural Valuer. Just over two years ago Stephen and his wife Katie, with the blessing of their two grown up children moved north to Inverness from Bolton. Getting to know the new area they came across a local advert for the café at Cantraybridge and it was from then that Stephen’s association with the College started. An opportunity to join the Board followed.

With long term experience in voluntary youth and children’s work and with vulnerable adults, one to one young persons mentoring, social care and charity involvement of one sort or another - together with a recent achievement of a honours degree in Mission and Ministry - Stephen fully realises just how important the work of Cantraybridge is: and how unique its services are in providing such dedicated care and assistance to enable young people with disabilities to achieve their full potential. And long may it continue.

Ruth has lived in Inverness and the surrounding area for most of her life. Ruth has had a long and varied career within the Utilities sector; gaining experience in both construction and business change project management , skills she hopes she can utilise in supporting Cantraybridge college.

Ruth's introduction to Cantraybridge came through her daughter Becky who worked in the cafe while she was at university, her first visit was on an open day and she instantly loved what she saw and the people who worked and supported the college. Having been brought up in a rural environment Ruth found the location and opportunities available to the students like nothing she has ever seen or heard about before and just had to get involved.

Ruth's hobbies include line dancing, travelling, crafting and long beach walks with her Lurcher Eevee.

I was fortunate to grow up in the Highlands, over Glen Affric way and have a real love for wildness. I have worked with young people with learning disabilities for over 15 years, across social care, education and health. I am currently a psychotherapist at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services at Raigmore.

I have also set up two charities in my time- ‘For the Children’ fund raising in the early 2000s for club foot and cleft palate surgery for children in Bangladesh, and more recently Nairn Beach Wheelchairs. I also worked for Blue Smile, and in-school art therapy charity for around 6 years in England.

I am very keen on involving the young person’s voice in service design and have done participatory research proposals for CAMHS, and a project for the UHI as a volunteer.

I am a parent of two children, one of which has complex needs and so I have lived experience of the Learning Disability services sector. I am keenly aware of what wonderful opportunities Cantraybridge offers and am I delighted to be a board member.