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.

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 where he has worked on cultural diplomacy, international education, strategy and EU negotiations. He is passionate about supporting young people’s development and reducing disadvantage, and he 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.

Lydia has over 20 years’ experience working within a human resources environment. She began her career in the charity sector, working with an organisation who provided respite care combined with outdoor activity holidays. Following this, Lydia relocated to Scotland and joined the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where she has worked since 2003. Lydia studied drama at school and remembers well the confidence it gave her. She appreciates the skills young people develop as a result of participating in arts-based activities and the benefit these transferable skills offer in all aspects of life. Lydia is excited to be able to work with and support organisation, such as YTAS, that make these opportunities happen and support young people as they develop.

Marisa is a Health Policy academic with a background in investigative and broadcast journalism and performing arts. She is currently employed by the University of Edinburgh as Programme Director for an innovative MSc by Research in Health Humanities and Arts; Associate Director for the Centre for Creative-Relational Inquiry; Programme Director for the PhD in Health in Social Sciences; and Co-Chair for the Counselling Psychotherapy and Applied Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee. Marisa has led ‘traditional’ public health research using ‘conventional’ approaches and methodologies, as well as creative and arts-informed projects linked to health policy and practice. In 2018, she was winner of The Health Foundation’s X Factor for Evidence for the Public’s Health, arguing for arts-based approaches and social connectivity as evidence in health and inequalities. Marisa has been passionate about the power of theatre for as long as she can remember. She has witnessed and experienced first-hand how youth theatre can transform lives, so she is delighted to be a member of the YTAS board.

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 previously 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.