Our People

Fergus is an experienced senior leader, and equality and diversity practitioner. He is currently employed at Skills Development Scotland, leading on equality and diversity strategy across service provision. Previously, Fergus was Chief Executive of LGBT Youth Scotland, where he witnessed first-hand the transformational impact that committed and skilled staff and volunteers can have working alongside people who might otherwise be disengaged or excluded as a result of structural inequality or prejudice. A career highlight came in 2019, when Fergus won the Inspirational Leader Award at the national Youth Work Awards, after being nominated by his team at LGBT Youth Scotland. Fergus continues to participate in sectors (youth, community, theatre) close to his heart, by volunteering as board member for YTAS.

Fiona is a performer and youth theatre facilitator specialising in clown and is passionate about the role of the arts in shaping the lives and wellbeing of children and young people. She has been performing as a therapeutic clown, ‘Dr Spritely’ and ‘Toots Elderflower’, for Hearts & Minds for 20 years, visiting hospitals, hospices, schools for complex needs, and dementia units in Scotland and Australia. More recently she was Co-Artistic Lead for Heart & Minds and is now Programme Engagement Manager. Fiona is also co-Artistic Director of Dirliebane Theatre Company. Established in 2016, Dirliebane create clown performances and activities for children and young people, touring productions to schools and venues. Fiona has also been a youth theatre facilitator for nearly 30 years, working across Scotland, America and Australia. She currently runs her own group, Skedaddle Youth Theatre, which focuses on clown and comedy. She is excited to be on the board of YTAS.

Gillian has been a community learning and development practitioner and manager for 30 years. She graduated from the YMCA George Williams College with a BA (Hons) Informal & Community Education in 1997 and has been employed by YouthLink Scotland since then. Gillian strongly believes that it is vital that youth work staff and volunteers are well trained, supported, and informed so that they in turn provide a quality service for the young people they work with.

Liam is a public policy professional with a wide range of experience in the UK and Scottish Governments across trade policy, international higher education and EU negotiations. He is passionate about supporting young people’s development and reducing disadvantage, and has volunteered with various youth charities working to address this. Liam was previously a trustee of a multi-academy trust in London where he chaired the board’s staffing and safeguarding committee.

Libby has witnessed and experienced firsthand the life-changing potential of youth theatre, and is passionate about and committed to achieving universal access to this sector. Her confidence grew through youth theatre in Scotland, not only through the practice of performing, directing, and acting as a young leader, but also through the trust and respect given to her in these environments and the importance placed on having young voices heard. As Programmes Coordinator at Blueprint for All (a charity creating equal opportunities for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background), she developed an understanding of and motivation for inclusivity, which she achieves through her own lived experience and being a meaningful ally. She has always found YTAS to be a welcoming and supportive environment and is excited to work with the board to empower as many people as possible.

Marley set up Spotlights Community Youth Theatre in Forfar in 2018 when all four of her children decided they wanted to do drama, and she struggled to find an affordable option. Since then she has run the charity with the help of a dedicated team of volunteers. More recently, Marley has been studying at Dundee and Angus College and is currently studying for a BA (Hons) in Performance at Queen Margaret University.

Mhairi is a freelance facilitator that has worked with North Lanarkshire Council, Ayr Gaiety Theatre and Cumbernauld Theatre. She graduated from the University of the West of Scotland with a First Class Honors BA Performance degree. She works with children of all ages and adults with additional support needs. When she is not working Mhairi has a passion for performing and writing. Youth theatre has always been important to her as it’s where she found her love for drama and she believes that it is a brilliant way for young people to express themselves and make their voices heard so she is excited to be part of YTAS.

Sanjay is an Indian-Scottish neurodiverse actor, writer, facilitator and comedian. A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, he has worked with Traverse Theatre, Imaginate, Mischief La-Bas, Tamasha, Tara Arts and the Scottish BPOC Writers Network. As part of the Soho Theatre Writers’ Lab, his play ‘Jalebi’ was longlisted for the Tony Craze Award, and in 2022 he became the John Mather Trust’s Rising Star of Scotland recipient, supporting him to develop a play around male mental health with the National Theatre of Scotland. Sanjay has previously served on the board for City of Glasgow College as Student President and represented both and young people on the Independent Commission for Race Equality. He is passionate about the arts and has a particular interest in new writing, championing diversity, and supporting minority groups.