After completing an MA in History at Aberdeen University, Carolyn went on to complete postgraduate studies in HR at Robert Gordon’s University.

Carolyn has worked in HR across a range of sectors including the drinks industry, financial services, public health, further education, sport and leisure both in the UK and in France.

Carolyn and her team have a remit to support managers and colleagues through all events and situations during the employment lifecycle. The HR team portfolio ranges from workforce planning, recruitment, learning and development, to championing equality and diversity within the workplace, and promoting health, safety and wellbeing.

As Director of HR, Carolyn also has a fundamental role in delivering SDS’s youth talent programme, providing important opportunities for Scotland’s young people to grow and develop within the workplace through modern apprenticeships and internships.

George graduated with a BSc Honours in Science with Industrial Studies from Napier University, and was a graduate trainee management consultant before working in the IT industry for 20 years.

Following roles at Rowntree Mackintosh plc and FMC Corporation, he became Managing Director of an engineering company then Chief Executive of Services to Software (which changed to Targeting Innovation), providing business growth support to technology companies.

And where people have the right skills and confidence to secure good work and progress in their careers, with greater equality of opportunity for all.

With a wealth of business, communication, and marketing experience Kirsteen leads our corporate support services including People; Planning, Business Excellence and Performance; Marketing; Communications; Corporate Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement.

After graduating from Aberdeen University with a MA Honours in Accountancy, Kirsteen spent 16 years in the financial services industry in a variety of marketing, communication and strategic development roles. Inspired by work on supporting customers to better understand financial services, and having led a number of brand developments in financial service organisations, she was attracted to join the then newly established national skills agency SDS.

Ensuring that all people have the best possible chance of succeeding in the world of work, Kirsteen passionately understands the importance of education and training being responsive to the needs of industry. Kirsteen is ambitious to make a significant contribution to a Scotland that values skills and realises the potential of all its people and businesses to support a competitive, inclusive and resilient economy.

He has a particular interest in work based learning and creating more effective career pathways for young people.

Over the past 20 years he has held managerial posts within Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Glasgow Development Agency and SE Glasgow, where he was Director of Skills & Learning from 2002, before joining Skills Development Scotland in 2008 as Director of Service Design and Innovation. He has also been an adviser to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Within Skills Development Scotland he has led on the development of the My World of Work web service and work based learning projects such as foundation and graduate level apprenticeships

Jonathan holds a number of qualifications that include a BA in Economics and MSc in Lifelong Learning.

It also covers various SDS actions in support of the Scottish Government’s Youth Employment Strategy and the recommendations of the Developing the Young Workforce Commission.

Her team at SDS works closely with contracted learning providers (including private, public and third sector organisations) who deliver training programmes for employers and individuals across Scotland. Katie is also the SDS lead on equalities-related issues.

Previously, Katie worked in various roles relating to skills policy and planning for Scottish and Renfrewshire Enterprise and, prior to that, in industrial liaison and part-time lecturing for Paisley College (now University of the West of Scotland).

He joined the Scottish University for Industry (SUfI) in 2002. His initial role there was to manage financial aspects of the organisation and to liaise with the Scottish Executive’s sponsor team, as SUfI moved from a commercial model to become a Non-Departmental Public Body operated through a company structure. He also undertook a governance role via the Company Secretary position, and became Finance Director in 2005.

Andrew TUPE transferred into Skills Development Scotland at its creation in 2008, and became Finance & Audit Director, and Company Secretary at the end of that year.

He has built up extensive experience in service development and delivery of Careers Services through a range of roles as Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Careers, Head of Region and then Director of Careers with Careers Scotland.

Danny has undertaken a number of areas of responsibility since the creation of Skills Development Scotland and he is currently Director of Operations, responsible for the delivery of the Careers Information Advice and Guidance service in Scotland.

Danny is an honours graduate in Economics and Sociology and holds a Diploma in Careers Guidance, a Masters Degree, and level 5 Vocational Qualifications in both Management and Training and Development. He is also a graduate member of the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development).

Gordon’s career started in the Civil Service at The National Savings Bank in Glasgow, followed by the Department of Social Security where he participated in its Management Development Programme. Prior to joining Skills Development Scotland, Gordon had 17 years’ experience with Scottish Enterprise where he undertook a broad range of operational roles from Skills and Employability to Inward Investment support and the development of Urban Regeneration companies.

Gordon was the Chair of the Board of Management at Reid Kerr College in Paisley prior to its merger into West College Scotland. He is a member of the SQA Advisory Council and, in a voluntary capacity, chairs Radio City Association Ltd (a Healthy Living Centre Initiative), and is a Trustee at Engage Renfrewshire Ltd.

In the previous fifteen years, Neville has worked in the business service sector delivering profit and quality services within highly regulated industries, in cooperation with state authorities and private sector clients. He has held Operations Director, Managing Director, Business Development and Process Improvement leadership positions at FTSE 100 and other major companies.

Neville has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Dundee and started his career in manufacturing.

With a turnover of £220 million and over 1200 staff operating in 110 locations throughout Scotland; central to SDS’s role and purpose is the contribution it makes to the creation of a strong, vibrant and diverse economy. With SDS leading on skills planning and development, Damien is committed to forging strong relationships between providers of education and training, and businesses and industry ensuring support for both employers to get the skills they need and individuals to get jobs and progress in the workplace.

Damien has overseen an extensive modernisation programme spanning a network of 400 school careers staff and 47 local branches to enhance the scope and reach of Careers Information, Advice and Guidance services in Scotland. Passionate about supporting young people and recognising the relevance of high quality digital support for young people in career decision making, he was instrumental in driving forward development of a now award winning digital service, My World of Work. Achieving on average over 235,000 unique users a month, My World of Work is now recognised by Education Scotland for its valuable contribution to careers services.  

Damien has also strengthened and developed the crucial links between employer demand for, and the supply of, skilled individuals into employment through strategic initiatives. This includes working in partnership locally and regionally to develop Skills Investment Plans for each of Scotland’s key growth and economic sectors and regional skills assessments throughout the length and breadth of Scotland.  Currently delivering 25,000 new Modern Apprenticeships annually, recognising the value to employers, individuals and the economy he is committed to increasing this to 30,000 by 2020.

Damien’s extensive international knowledge of, and advocacy for, work based learning has driven the creation of new opportunities for young people to sustain and achieve success in the labour market; such as the introduction of foundation apprenticeships for senior school pupils. Passionate about skills development and its contribution to a prospering Scottish economy; Damien’s future ambitions for SDS include improving industry engagement in workforce development through foundation and graduate level apprenticeships, supporting inclusion and diversity in fair and productive workplaces and providing greater support to school pupils earlier to help them on the path to sustainable and rewarding careers.