STAFF & BOARD

We work as a team to support our members

Staff Team

- Michael Cook, CEO

As CEO I am responsible for the leadership and management of Circular Communities Scotland. My key focus areas include delivering our strategic plan, representing the organisation to key funders and stakeholders, supporting our small but growing staff team, representing, and increasing our membership, and reporting to our excellent Board.

Whilst I started my career with PricewaterhouseCoopers and Prudential I have since found my niche in the third sector.  I am highly motivated to deliver positive change in purpose driven organisations.  At Circular Communities Scotland, our member’s work towards a circular economy delivers significant social and environmental benefits and I am proud to support and represent this.

- Izzie Catlin, Executive Assistant and Administrative Support

As the Executive Assistant I support our CEO to deliver our strategic plan by taking some of the daily ‘chores’ off his hands! Additionally, I provide administrative support to the wider team, which is a great way to learn more about the brilliant members of Circular Communities Scotland and the projects they are involved with, such as the Share and Repair Network and the Consortium. I feel inspired by the incredible work that our members do to make Scotland a more sustainable, inclusive, and creative place to live.

- Michele Donegan, Finance and Office Coordinator

I have been Finance and Office Coordinator with Circular Communities Scotland since 2008. The role includes finance management, finance operations, office management and ensuring we are compliant with governing bodies such as HMRC, OSCR and the Information Commissioner. I love working for Circular Communities Scotland and it’s great to know that the fantastic work our members do contributes to a circular economy that improves the environment that my children will grow up in.

- Matt Lewis, Membership and Policy Manager

My role is to lead the Member Services Team that delivers the membership functions for Circular Communities Scotland, supporting our diverse member network and helping them get the most out of their membership. He manages the Events Officer, who runs our annual events programme, and the Communications and Campaigns Officer, who delivers our marketing output.
I have been in post since 2011 but have links with the organisation all the way back to 2004 when the original organisation, Community Recycling Network Scotland, was formed.
I hold an Environmental Science BSc and a science teaching qualification and am a member of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM).

- Elaine Ritchie, Events Officer

I joined Circular Communities Scotland in 2014 as Events Officer, and my role centres around managing a portfolio of in person and digital events which includes our annual conference, awards dinners, seminars, forums and ad hoc meetings. I love networking and collaborating with a diverse range of people and organisations. I use this passion to build new connections and forge strong relations with Circular Communities Scotland members, stakeholders and sponsors.
My responsibilities involve the planning, marketing, execution and evaluation of events as well as sourcing sponsorship and managing the event budgets. On a personal level I am a stickler for ‘detail’ and a born organiser, which I hope is reflected in the events I deliver.  Prior to joining Circular Communities Scotland, I have worked in the public sector in business development and as a Development Officer with Scotland’s professional body for counselling and psychotherapy.

- Sarah Case, Communications and Campaigns Officer

As Communications and Campaigns Officer, I manage our marketing strategy and oversee all campaigns and communications for Circular Communities Scotland and our ongoing projects. I also work to support our members through marketing support and events, and share their stories to promote a more circular economy in Scotland. I enjoy creating our campaigns, which aim to change the narrative around consumption at a national level, and sharing the fantastic environmental and social benefits that a circular economic model can provide us.

- Nicola Aeberli, Projects and Reuse Consortium Manager (Maternity Leave)

As Projects and Reuse Consortium manager, I both line manage and support our Share and Repair Coordinator and Bike Reuse Coordinator, as well as overseeing our Reuse Consortium, which provides high quality reuse furniture to Local Authorities and Housing Associations, helping households facing difficult circumstances such as poverty or homelessness. I support our Consortium members to provide the best possible service to Local Authorities and Housing Associations, work to expand our network of buyers and Consortium members, and take care of quarterly impact reporting to Scotland Excel and our buyers.

- Rhoda Reid, Reuse Consortium Coordinator (Maternity Cover)

As the Reuse Consortium Coordinator, I support all aspects of the Consortium business, providing high quality reuse furniture to the Public Sector through our members who are all locally based Social Enterprises. I enjoy meeting our members and seeing the fantastic work they do, as well as linking with the Public Sector representatives, providing meaningful reports on landfill and CO2 emissions reduction and budget savings. I’m delighted to be working in a team with strong shared values, supporting one another towards our strong common purpose of Social and Environmental Justice.

- Emma Erwin, Share and Repair Coordinator

My role is to set up and coordinate Circular Communities Scotland's Share and Repair Network. The network supports Sharing Libraries and Repair Projects across the country to get set-up and to assist the many amazing projects which already exist to grow their impact and become more financially sustainable. I listen to what our members need and find ways to support them through this exciting project.

- Jane Dixon, Share and Repair Coordinator (Maternity Cover)

My role is to support new and existing members of the growing Share and Repair Network across Scotland. I co-ordinate activities including networking meetings, training opportunities, sharing of digital resources and our annual gathering alongside one-to-one support for new projects. I love hearing about the different projects and the positive impacts they are making in their communities.

- Chris Sanderson, National Bike Reuse Coordinator

As National Bike Reuse Coordinator, I am responsible for planning, managing and delivering our Affordable Access to Bikes project and improving bike access in Scotland by removing barriers to reuse. I work with a wide range of stakeholders across the bike reuse sector. I’m very motivated to work for climate and social justice so Circular Communities Scotland is the perfect fit for me. I reuse and repair as a habit and prioritise active and sustainable travel.

Board Members

- Naomi Johnson, Chair, Freelance Consultant

Naomi Johnson has been working as an independent freelancer in Scotland since September 2016. Naomi is client focused and has over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector. Previous roles include leading the Scottish Charity Firstport (2007-2011) and also working for CRN UK (1999-2007). Naomi holds an MBA from the Cranfield Trust. Naomi has previously served on the Board of Social Enterprise Scotland and is currently a non-exec board member at Dumfries and Galloway College.

- Ian Harley, Treasurer, Bupa

Ian is currently the Director of Control & Governance in Bupa’s insurance business. Before that he held senior positions in Prudential across risk, compliance and audit disciplines. He has extensive experience of developing risk and governance frameworks and has also worked as an accountant and financial auditor in the public sector. Ian brings a strong advisory approach and continuous improvement mindset. He is married with grown up children and lives in Lanarkshire.

- Ian Matheson, Blythswood Care

Ian Matheson is the Head of Operations for Blythswood Care.  Ian has overall management of Blythswood Care’s 24 Scottish reuse shops and 2 hub depots, processing goods for reuse and recycling sale. Leading 98 staff and 100’s of volunteers in this work, it provides funding towards Blythswood Care’s projects in Scotland and abroad e.g. food bank centres, supported training, life-skills for ex orphanage boys, education and community programmes etc.

Effective resource management is at the core of Blythswood Trading’s operations with 2100 tonnes reused or recycled each year in Scotland. Ian has led Blythswood’s work with/support for over 30 like-minded community organisations in Scotland. Ian is a founding member of the Zero Waste Scotland Revolve Users Group.

Prior to joining Blythswood, Ian spent over 18 years in the IT sector, implementing and project managing IT systems for clients in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Ian is a trustee of The Elsie Normington Foundation and a trustee of the Blythswood Romania charity.

- David Bryan, Social Enterprise Academy

David manages the Social Enterprise Academy’s activities in the North of Scotland and leads on rural programmes for Social Enterprise Academy International. He has account managed learning programmes on 28 different Scottish islands and scores of remote mainland communities, including in Gaelic medium programmes. Internationally David has account managed programmes in 12 countries on four continents. He works closely with Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Scottish Government and British Council.

Before joining Social enterprise Academy, David was Development Officer for CRNS from 2004-2008, covering the North of Scotland. The social and environmental outcomes of the sector are what drives David, avoiding what one CRNS member called ‘wasted resources and wasted lives’.

David has worked as an Associate Lecturer for the Open University for 17 years, tutoring on three Environment modules. He lives in Dingwall, and enjoys running, cycling, hillwalking and wild camping, often with some of his four children.

- Mark Morgan, Stella's Voice

Mark is a Director of Stella’s Voice and in charge of its UK operation. Having been with the charity for over 32 years Mark not only brings a passion and keen interest for all things reuse, he also brings extensive experience and insight from his decades of working in the charity and reuse & recycling sector and how these projects can be used to impact and transform lives in communities locally and overseas.

Since joining, Mark has been actively engaged with Circular Communities Scotland and more recently (2019) Stella’s Voice joined the Reuse Consortium which has increased the involvement and engagement with Circular Communities Scotland.

- Jon Molyneux, FareShare

Jon Molyneux is Scottish Affairs Lead for Fareshare, which is the UK’s largest charitable redistributor of surplus food. In Scotland, Fareshare works through four regional centres and supports over 750 community-based organisations to access good food. Jon is also a serving councillor on Glasgow City Council, representing the Pollokshields ward for the Scottish Green Party since 2017. Previously, Jon was Head of Communications and Engagement for Zero Waste Scotland and he has held a variety of policy and front-line roles in the environmental and social enterprise sectors. Originally from West Cumbria, and via university in Liverpool, Jon now lives in Glasgow with his wife and two boys. He is also a Trustee of Spruce Carpets, a social enterprise focused on flooring reuse.

- Sasha Taylor, The Bike Station

Sasha Taylor is the CEO at The Bike Station, working alongside a team who work tirelessly, to ensure more people have access to the benefits of cycling whilst improving our environment.

Sasha brings experience from a career across the third sector, health, equalities, environment and social justice; and brings an unwavering commitment in collaboration and the social change.

Outside of work Sasha will be found riding bikes, avoiding squirrels and collecting Netsuke.

- Rashid Khaliq, SoulRiders

Rashid is the Chief Executive of SoulRiders, an innovative community cycling organisation based in Glasgow.

He has a passion for sustainable innovation and embedding grassroots scale-able projects. Rashid is also very proud of his Scottish and Pakistani heritage and has developed many strategic models with diversity at the heart.

As a keen believer of a just transition across many facets he is currently focused on the climate transformation. With a network that transcends all sectors he is developing a net-zero zone with a great ambition for Glasgow to become an exemplar community, cycling, green city.

Rashid also loves his bike and can be seen sipping a coffee having engaged in his favourite, ‘rolled up trousers’ riding style.

- Jo Weston, YoJo Marketing

Jo Weston, aka ‘Chief Mission Officer’ helps CEOs and leadership teams to build impactful brands and organisations centered around a clear purpose and mission.

Jo has a creative and marketing communications background gained from working in advertising agencies in the UK and with award-winning circular start-ups, scale-ups, climate tech, social enterprises and B Corps internationally in Amsterdam.

Now based in Dunblane, Jo is a mentor for the Scottish IoT accelerator program (STAC), an associate at Social Invest Scotland and is on the board of a local zero-waste community shop. Jo also runs a ‘circular airbnb’ in the loft above her house – Furnished entirely with pre-loved furniture and fittings. Jo’s strategic marketing knowledge and experience of circular initiatives overseas will provide valuable support to the board and Circular Communities Scotland.

- Laura Young, Less Waste Laura

Laura Young is an award winning climate activist, environmental scientist, and ethical influencer.

In October 2022 Laura began her PhD between the University of Abertay and the University of Dundee as a Hydro Nations Scholar in climate resilience work. She has a First Class honours degree in Geography and Environmental Science from the University of Dundee, and a Masters with Distinction in Environmental Protection and Management from the University of Edinburgh.

Laura regularly speaks in the media, bringing her expertise into conversations about climate, waste, sustainable fashion, and environmental justice issues. ​Speaking engagements, online and in-person, have been a core part of Laura's work, from her TEDx Talk to schools, conferences, and working with the private sector.

Laura has also worked for the international development charity Tearfund as the COP26 Coordinator and "Let's Change The Climate" programme manager. Seeking to bring younger voices into influential spaces, she also sits on a variety of boards and advisory committees.

- Donna Wood, Transition Stirling

Donna is the Opportunities Developer for Transition Stirling's latest project - the Stirling Reuse Hub, her role involves building collaborations with the public, private and third sector and regular problem solving.  Donna has worked within the Environmental and Circular Economy sectors for over 20 years primarily focused on research and pilot projects and also works part-time for Enscape Consulting.