Our board

Adrian is an executive leader in the renewables industry with widespread international experience taking projects from conception to reality.

Adrian has been instrumental in the development of flagship projects and international initiatives, showcasing leadership in fostering collaborations and navigating complex regulatory landscapes, adopting a multidisciplinary approach with development, engineering, technical, legal and financial stakeholders. He is also a company director with a strong focus on strategy, growth and corporate governance.

Adrian moved to Edinburgh 10 years ago now, and decided late in 2023 that this was the right time to give back to the community by offering his skillset to local charities that support causes close to his heart. Outside of work, Adrian is passionate about improving the landscape of opportunities for young people, as well as supporting those in need, hence why Cappella was a great opportunity to combine his director skillset with a cause he is passionate about.

Dr de Andres joined the Board of Trustees in 2024.

Ian is a manager in curriculum transformation at the University of Edinburgh.

Ian has over 20 years working in Higher Education working as a lecturer, academic quality professional and now as a manager in curriculum transformation at the University of Edinburgh.

He is actively involved in shaping curriculum frameworks, leading the student internship programme and supporting senior leaders across the University in delivering a future curriculum which has, at its heart, enhanced accessibility.

Ian’s strengths include strategic planning, service design and process enhancement.

Ian joined the Board in 2024 and is excited to support Capella in its ambition to see our fantastic staff and students continue to thrive.

Colin is an Investment Manager specialising in private companies.

Colin started his career advising small companies looking to raise funding. He has since spent over 20 years investing in small and mid-sized businesses across Europe looking to grow.

He has also previously been treasurer of 2 small charities focused on fundraising to help children with additional support needs.

Colin joined the board of Capella in February 2022.

Marc is currently the Associate Director for Ekosgen.

Established in 2002, Ekosgen are one of the UK’s leading independent companies providing economic and social research, analysis and consultancy advice.

Prior to Ekosgen, Marc was the Head of Research and Policy for ScotlandIS. ScotlandIS builds, supports, and enables the digital technology ecosystem in Scotland. They are at the heart of Scotland’s digital economy, shaping, changing and driving it forward. They work with members and partners to support the wider digital transformation of business and society. Marc spearheaded all Research, Policy and Public Affairs activity for ScotlandIS to Ministers, senior Civil Servants, Academics and private sector leaders.

Marc’s expertise is in Policy and Public Affairs with experience in the public and non-governmental sectors. He is skilled in Research, Political Analysis, Stakeholder Management and managing SPSS data.

Marc joined the board in January 2023 and is keen to strengthen and build new partnerships between the charity, public sector and private sector.

He is also keen to explore how Capella can be an example of third-sector environmental sustainability and demonstrate excellence in our environmental credentials.

Marc holds a Master’s with Merit Postgraduate degree from the University of Edinburgh in US Foreign Policy.

Maria is a Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at the University of Edinburgh.

Maria has experience of over 20 years as a sleep scientist in clinical and research settings. Her research work incorporates a variety of research methodologies and draws from psychological interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia. The primary focus of her research aims to explore the onset and maintenance of sleep and circadian difficulties across the lifespan and their association with physiological and environmental factors.

Maria joined the board in May 2022 and hopes to support the organisation with her sleep research skills and her understanding of the dynamic interplay of sleep with mental health conditions, especially for children and young people. She is also a Senior Sleep Lecturer for the organisation, hoping to bring closer the training facilitators and the members of the board.

Julia runs her own research and development consultancy, working mainly with third-sector organisations and health boards and local authorities across Scotland.

Julia is experienced in project and programme management and leading a wide range of research initiatives. An early focus was to promote the participation of young people, their families and carers in informing the content and process of the research.

Much of her work has been directed at developing effective partnership environments to improve health and care outcomes for individuals, and she supported the national development of health and social care partnerships. Other key areas of interest include young people’s mental health, using research to inform policy development and exploring how we can best measure impact – how we know what we are doing and whether we are doing it well.

Julia joined the board in December 2020.

Alison has over 25 years’ experience working in the digital sector and now runs her own consulting and advisory business.

Alison has held leadership roles in the public and private sectors, in organisations small and large. She has considerable experience in strategy, business development and managing change to grow resilient and sustainable businesses. She is Chair of ScotlandIS, the trade body for the tech sector in Scotland.

Alison’s son has learning disabilities and Autism and is a student at Teens+. She joined the board in 2022 and is keen to support the organisation to strengthen and grow to enable more young adults to live fulfilling lives as active participants in their communities.

Lisa is an experienced project and service manager with a background in education and research.

She currently works at the University of Edinburgh, where, over the last year, she has been bootstrapping a new research centre focused on growing capacity for data-led and digital research across the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.  She has led and contributed to a wide range of research and educational support projects, both national and international.  Over the last ten years, Lisa’s work has increasingly focused on adopting digital technologies in the educational context. Other key areas of expertise are strategic development and planning, proposal development, educational design, communications and community building.

Lisa joined the board in September 2020.  She’s delighted to have the opportunity to use her professional skills to support other families: she’s passionate about supporting learning opportunities for young people and, as a parent, knows how important good sleep support can be.

Suzanne is a senior manager in the Higher Education sector.  She manages various areas, including student welfare and support, academic administration, recruitment, admissions, examinations, quality assurance and governance.  Suzanne’s strengths include strategic planning, policy development and project management.

Early in her career, Suzanne held several international positions in the private sector but found her calling in the third sector and has, for the last twenty years, worked to improve equality and opportunities for young people.

Suzanne joined the Board in September 2020 and is excited to support Capella in achieving its vision.