Appointed September 2021

Douglas Morrison serves as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST), Scotland's national innovation centre for the built environment. His career has predominantly been in the tertiary education sector, where he has specialised in areas including, innovation, digital learning, environmental issues, and equity and inclusion.

His professional affiliations include Membership in the Young Academy for Scotland and Fellowship of the Institute for Innovation and Knowledge Exchange. He is also a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Education Committee and a Freeman of the City of Glasgow.

In addition to his role as the Chair of the Board at South Lanarkshire College, Douglas acts as an Assessor with His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education. He is also associated with environmental initiatives, serving as the Co-Chair of the Decarbonisation of Heat Group at Skills Development Scotland and as a member of Scotland’s Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan Implementation Group. Further, he is Co-Chair of the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum’s Data Group.

Douglas has a background in technology-enhanced learning and has received a Masters degree in this field from the University of Strathclyde in addition to several awards relating to digital learning. He has also completed Executive programmes at the University of Oxford, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and HEC Paris. He is currently undertaking an Executive MBA with Quantic School of Business and Technology.

Throughout his career, Douglas has successfully led a range of programmes for the United Nations, the European Union, the Scottish Government, the Construction Industry Training Board, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Construction Leadership Forum.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dmorrisonedu
Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/dmorrisonedu

Appointed April 2023

Stella McManus has worked in the further education sectors across Scotland and England for over 18 years. She is passionate about  lifelong learning and the transformational change that education can have on the lives of people at any age and from any
background. Stella joined South Lanarkshire College as Depute Principal, before being appointed to Principal and Chief Executive in April 2023.

Stella began her further education career in 2005, having previously lived and worked in Italy teaching English language. She is a fully qualified teacher and language specialist with a broad set of classroom practitioner and management skills gained from over 18 years’ experience in a range of educational settings. Her academic background is in the field of linguistics, having completed her master’s
degree in Applied Linguistics at King’s College, London.

Appointed September 2021

Heather is an Assistant Director and has been working in the Higher Education Sector for over five years.

Prior to that she working in the Defence industry and has extensive experience of international working, leadership of integrated project teams & management of full life-cycle, multi-million pound, complex projects delivering high-end technology & services, Business Development and Stakeholder Relationship Management.

She has a passion for knowledge, learning and development of self and others and is particularly interested in how science and technology contribute to society and can improve our lives and the way we live in the world.

Heather has a BSc in Chemistry and Geology and a PhD in Chemistry (both University of Glasgow) and is currently undertaking a part-time MBA at Strathclyde University.

Outside work, she has a wide range of interests, from sports to arts, and particularly enjoys tennis and music-related activities.

Appointed November 2019

Ronnie has lived and worked in Lanarkshire for over 40 years. Before retiring in 2019 he had been the CEO of LES Ltd., since helping set the company up in 2002.

A graduate of both Glasgow School of Art and the University of Stirling, his work history extends to the public, private and third sectors. He has extensive experience of board membership at local, regional and national level and has been involved in developing and managing many public/private partnership arrangements. With a specialist interest in supporting management and governance in SME’s, Ronnie currently serves on the Boards of 2 Lanarkshire companies and has his own consultancy business as well as serving as the  Chair of the Lanarkshire Regional Strategic Body and the Chair of New College Lanarkshire.

Ronnie is married with a grown-up daughter and 2 grandchildren. All of whom happily live nearby in Lanarkshire. He maintains a keen interest in sports, particularly rugby union and enjoys a range of equestrian activities.

Appointed September 2021

Fiona Whittaker has over 20 years’ experience of functional and strategic leadership and the delivery of complex change in large organisations in the private and public sector.  A graduate of both Strathclyde and Lancaster Universities, she has worked both nationally, and internationally in senior roles for GlaxoSmithKline, BP, FirstGroup, and is currently Chief Officer, People Resources for North Lanarkshire Council.

Fiona is a strong proponent of the strategic importance of vocational education and the wider employability, skills and labour market support systems which are so vital to driving economic growth and recovery. In addition to her role as a Non-Executive Director of South Lanarkshire College, she is currently a serving Director of Routes to Work, North Lanarkshire, and a member of the Finance Sub-Committee.

When time and weather allows, Fiona is a keen hillwalker and traveller and lives with her family on the firth of forth near Edinburgh.   

Fiona is South Lanarkshire College's Senior Independent Board Member.

Appointed August 2023

Vice Principal and Head of College of Arts – University of Glasgow

Outstanding experience of Curriculum Quality & Development at the highest level and substantial academic management experience.

A leading educator with a distinguished record of relevant publications.

Former Governor of an English Sixth Form College and extensive experience of the education sector generally and the interface between HE and FE specifically.

Considerable experience of Chairing Academic Boards and Committees

Appointed August 2023

Marketing and Communications Manager (online) at University of Edinburgh.

Formerly Marketing & Communications Manager at SLC.

Previous relevant FE experience and an in-depth knowledge of SLC with an excellent track record in key areas such as networking and engagement.

Considerable experience at Senior Team Level of strategic and operational planning.

An effective and experienced manager / team leader.

Sound experience of Budgeting within the educational sector

Sound understanding of governance and good understanding of communities within the college catchment area

Thorough understanding of the educational landscape at both HE and FE levels with considerable expertise in Marketing /PR.

Sound experience of Budgeting within the educational sector allied to sound understanding of governance.

Thorough understanding of the educational landscape at both HE and FE levels

Appointed August 2023

Substantial experience in accountancy and audit as senior partner in an established accountancy practice. Also has relevant experience as a Charity Trustee and in community development.

Strong management experience and leadership skills allied to sound local knowledge.

Current member of the Board of Motherwell Football Club – a supporter owned company limited by Guarantee.

Experience of advising corporate bodies and individuals on a full range of accountancy and audit subjects with commercial experience of running a successful local business.

Considerable sharp end experience of Audit processes and procedures

Appointed by staff selection

Anne is Head of Alternative Funding at South Lanarkshire College.

She has worked for South Lanarkshire College since 2002, and for over 27 years in the Further Education sector. Anne overseas the management of noncore funded projects including activity funded through South Lanarkshire Council, Skills Development Scotland, Flexible Workforce Development Fund and other upskilling and employability programmes.

Anne feels privileged to be working with colleagues focussed on supporting local people on their journey to achieving their potential, with positive impact on their lives, that of their families and on the local economy.

Appointed by staff selection
August 2022

Tarryn is a business graduate who has over 17 years of project management and business support experience, successfully working with public and private sector clients across varying industries including: Manufacturing, Tourism, Technology, Renewables, Creative Industries, Food and Drink, Life Sciences and Education.

Tarryn is highly proficient in managing multi-faceted projects and working to tight deadlines and has in depth knowledge of organisational process and procedures whilst ensuring high quality assurance and legislative standards are met.

For the past six years, Tarryn has been lecturing within the Business Faculty as ,well as undertaking role as an External Verifier for the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

In her free time, she is passionate about sports and plays in the West of Scotland Squash Leagues.

Appointed July 2024

My name is Jack Whyte and I am the Student Association Vice President.

Last year I completed my qualification in Legal Services which enhanced my legal research skills and gave me an insight into the concept of Law & Society.

Currently I am studying for a qualification in Counselling, to better understand the human mind. I am also attending night classes to upgrade my English and work on my communication skills.

In the longer term my intention is to go to University and my studies at College will inform my options for further study and equip me for whatever may be my future career.

My hobbies are playing online with my friends and also football - which is quite a passion for me and is very much a family affair.

As a Board Member, I hope that my youth and enthusiasm will be of value to the Board and bring a new angle to representing the student voice.  

Appointed July 2024

I am the current President of the Student Association.

Prior to returning to college as a mature student I had a varied career. I started my working life as a hairdresser - 25 years in total - but then moved into the Care Sector where I became interested in Counselling.

I have always had a listening ear but, despite having acquired a broad range of workplace skills, I felt I had more to give. The College has given me a springboard from which I can not only become my own best self but also help others to be their best selves.

College, for me, has been empowering and I hope that as a Board Member I can play my part in bringing education into the lives of others.

For hobbies, I love the outdoors and I take every opportunity to get out camping and sea-swimming. I have also taken up running and this year completed my first 10K - in a faster time than I had expected. I love to cook for my family, and I am also a keen DIY enthusiast.

Appointed June 2024

I have worked in Education for 38 years, the last 28 of those as Bursary Officer with South Lanarkshire College.

For most of my service with SLC I have also served as UNISON representative for support staff and have also previously served on the Board of Management.

I enjoy sports, both watching and participating, in my spare time.

Appointed August 2023

40 year career in the Civil service with outstanding leadership skills which were recognised in the Honours List

High level experience within the technology sector with particular emphasis on cyber security and risk management

Lifelong resident of East Kilbride with sound understanding of community relationships.

Experience and expertise of governance within the public sector and specific experience of Audit & Risk.

Considerable experience of talent management with a track record of interaction with local colleges and recruitment fairs.

Proven commitment to community development and the role of FE.
Currently Chair of the South Lanarkshire College Educational Trust which has been providing funding for student support initiatives.

Appointed June 2024

Laura is an experienced chartered accountant, having completed her CA training with a Big 4 firm. For the last 7 years she has worked in a senior finance role within the Higher Education sector.

In her current role, Laura is responsible for strategic financial planning, budgeting and management and statutory reporting for an organisation with turnover of approximately £170m per year. She has strong technical accounting knowledge, combined with leadership and communication skills. Laura is Co-Chair of the Scottish Universities Deputy Finance Directors Group.

Prior to this, Laura worked in audit and has extensive experience of both internal and external audit.

Laura lives in Edinburgh, and spends most of her free time travelling, running or reading and is a qualified RYT200 Yoga Instructor.

Appointed June 2024

Andriy Strekhaliuk is a management consultant and strategic advisor with extensive experience in Organisational Development and Human Resources. He has been actively involved in these fields since 2011, contributing to the growth and success of small and medium businesses, technology startups, NGOs, and local community initiatives. Andriy’s expertise includes leadership and capability development, strategy, HR, project management, and stakeholder relationship management.

Prior to consulting, Andriy worked in leadership roles in organisations such as Mondelez International (Cadbury), DuPont, and Zeo Alliance, where he demonstrated his ability to manage complex regional and global projects and develop strategic solutions that drive organisational success. His recent work includes serving as an HR Consultant for Cosgrove Care, where he led a project to hire and train support workers from the Ukrainian community in Glasgow, and as Head of Consumer Insights & User Acquisition at Hearty App, an ed-tech startup focused on parenting.

Andriy holds an MA in History of Philosophy from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. He is currently pursuing an MBA at the University of Glasgow (2023/2024). He has been a visiting lecturer at Lviv Business School in Ukraine since 2016 and is the author of a recruitment course on the Ukrainian national online learning platform, Prometheus.

Outside of his professional life, Andriy enjoys spending time with his three children, reading, playing sports, and travelling.

Vari joined the college in October 2023 as Governance and Executive Support Manager before being appointed as the Governance and Compliance Professional in September 2024.

Vari graduated university in 2012 and embarked on a 12-year career with the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and has a firm understanding of legislation and policy. 

Out with her professional life, Vari enjoys going to the gym, hillwalking and spending time with her family and friends.