Our Board
How BLP is Governed:
Better Lives Partnership is overseen by a Board of Trustees. The Board was developed with great care and diligence to equip the organisation with the range of experience, knowledge and skills required to oversee and rigorously manage all of its work, but with an emphasis on the employability strands in particular.
The Board meets monthly to guide the work of Better Lives Partnership in line with the governing document and business plans, ensuring that the organisation continues to operate in line with our charitable aims.
We also have a Young Person’s Board, which comprises young people from each location. Meetings are held bi-monthly and allows young people to voice their ideas and feedback.
Our Board of Trustees maintains regular communication with our Teams and completes bi-annual visits at each site. These visits aim to assess how our Bridge 2 Employment programmes are running and receive feedback from the staff.
Meet our Board
Andy Margerison
Chairman of the Board
Andy is a former Headteacher of a primary school for children with ASD in the Highlands, Depute Head and Principal Teacher for Additional Needs at Kirkcudbright Academy and currently Autism Initiative Project Officer for Dumfries & Galloway Council. Andy has 30 years of experience in supporting children and young people with additional needs and in-depth knowledge of the provision in Dumfries & Galloway.
Stewart Biggar
Vice Chair
Stewart was previously Principal Educational Psychologist for DGC and inaugural Chair of D&G Autism Strategy Group which drew up the local strategy and action plan ‘Better Lives for People with Autism’ in 2012.
About being a trustee, Stewart says: “I am proud to be involved with Better Lives Partnership, working to support young people with autism”.
John Lynch
Treasurer
John has over 30 years of experience in social housing. He was a Head of Service for Dumfries and Galloway Council managing the Housing Strategy, investment, Homelessness and Housing Support teams. John knows the impact of good quality housing and support on young people’s lives.
He thinks Better Lives Partnership can really make a difference and is very happy to contribute to their valuable work.
Mary Hannay
Trustee
I trained as a primary school teacher and became an Additional Support for Learning teacher on returning to work after having my own children. I worked within the Supporting Learners Team within D&G Council Education Department for many years ending my career as education officer (A.S.L.)
“I have always had an interest in young people’s learning whether it be academic or vocational and the Better Lives Project takes young people into adulthood with a view to maximising their potential.”
Iain McDonald
Trustee
Iain is a retired solicitor who has spent his life in Castle Douglas.
He has always been interested in supporting youngsters. As a student, he participated in supporting underprivileged children. He is always enthusiastic in appreciating and encouraging efforts to reach people’s full potential regardless of their abilities.
In his business, he was a regular sponsor of children’s sports and activities and has in the past been involved in cubs and scouts as a leader.
Sheelagh Rusby
Trustee
Sheelagh has over 40 years of experience working in the Education sector, from her initial role as a Home Economics Teacher to Quality Improvement Manager working with teachers and schools across South West Scotland.
Throughout her career she has been at the forefront of curricular innovation championing and supporting the development of curriculums which are relevant, impactful and meet the learning needs of young people. In recognition of this, in November 2023, she was awarded the Pearson National Teaching Gold Award for Lifetime Achievement.
As a trustee, she very much values the aims and purpose of the Better Lives Partnership in improving outcomes for autistic young people and is happy to contribute to this valuable work.
Peter Bomer
Trustee
Peter is a serial entrepreneur, business advisor & investor with extensive experience in leading a broad range of organisations through early growth to maturity.
He lived and worked in China for nearly 20 years, holding several senior roles for Diageo Plc before launching his first start-up, a radio broadcaster, in 2007. The business grew quickly to cover 14 provinces (roughly one third of mainland China) and regularly topped audience ratings in each. He has since launched a string of successful businesses in China and helped many others to do so.
Peter now lives in Kirkcudbright where he has published his first book on China and is working on a second. He has several new business projects in development and participates actively in the life of the town.
David Tyson
Trustee
David has been involved in both pre-school and primary education for nearly forty years as a class teacher, Depute and Headteacher in schools from Stranraer to Castle Douglas.
David enjoys outdoor activities and has been a member of Galloway Mountain Rescue Team for over thirty years.
“Throughout my career it has my privilege to nurture and develop children’s knowledge, skills and experience to enable them to reach their full potential. Being a BLP Trustee gives me the opportunity to continue to do this once the young people have left school.”
