Our Trustees

The CHAS Trustees, also the Board of Directors, have many years of experience in a number of fields covering both the public and private sectors. They’re passionate, committed and responsible for the general governance and oversight of CHAS’s work.

Directors are appointed in accordance with the Articles of Association and are recruited for their skills and experience in areas relevant to the activities of CHAS. Our current board come from backgrounds such as parenting, nursing, paediatrics, social services, finance, business, investment management, legal, risk management and PR/communications.

Peta Hay

Peta was elected as Chair of CHAS in September 2021.

Five years ago Peta joined Saxton Bampfylde and now works with clients such as Harrods and the V&A Dundee on projects from leadership development to executive recruitment.

Peta Hay

Deirdre McCormick

Deirdre is currently the Chief Nurse for East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde HSCPs within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Deirdre provides strategic leadership and is responsible for ensuring the delivery of person centred, safe and effective nursing services and clinical practice.

Deirdre McCormick

Donald MacDonald

Donald advises the board on legal matters. He is a member of the Corporate Governance and Risk Committee.

Since leaving University in 1990 and qualifying as a solicitor Donald has been employed in a range of roles within the legal function of The Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest group of companies.

Donald MacDonald

Edward Doyle

Dr Edward Doyle brings expert clinical knowledge to the board.

Edward trained in Oxford, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow before settling in Edinburgh.

Edward Doyle

Graham Wood

Graham has been the Property Director for major national and international companies.

Graham has spent 33 years in the Property Industry, mostly operating in London.

Graham Wood

Gwen Westgarth

Gwen is the parent member of the board.

Her most important job is being mum to a very special little girl, Olivia.

Gwen Westgarth

Jacquie Pepper

Jacquie Pepper is Depute Director (Education and Children’s Services) and Chief Social Work Officer for Perth and Kinross Council.

Jacquie has responsibility for cross cutting work across education and children’s services as well as responsibility for Criminal Justice.

Jacquie Pepper

Nicola Connelly

Nicola brings a wealth of experience in senior finance roles to the board.

Nicola has worked for ScottishPower in a variety of senior finance roles for more than 20 years and is also a Trustee Director of the SP Manweb Pension Scheme.

Nicola Connelly

Peter Smyth

Peter brings vast experience and knowledge of Public Affairs to the Board. He is a member of the Corporate Governance and Risk Committee.

Peter is Director of Public Affairs and Deputy Managing Director at independent communications agency Indigo, where he's worked for more than eight years.

Peter Smyth

Stephen Reid

Stephen joined the Board of CHAS in March 2017.

Stephen is a partner with the global accountancy firm Ernst & Young LLP and is responsible for leading their Scottish Government, Public Sector and not-for-profit assurance practice.

Stephen Reid

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Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (known as CHAS) is a Scottish charity, SC019724, regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).

CHAS is a company limited by guarantee and is registered in Scotland, SC136410. VAT Registration number 214 8303 34.

Registered Office: Head Office, Canal Court, 42 Craiglockhart Avenue, Edinburgh EH14 1LT.