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Board of Directors

The HSD Board

Overall responsibility for the administration of the School lies with the Board of Directors, with Board members being elected by bodies within the School and business communities.

David Thomson

Chair of the Board

David Thomson

I was appointed to the Board in August 2020, taking on the role of Chair in March 2024. I am a Director of DC Thomson & Co Ltd., an international media and investment business which has had its roots in Dundee for over 100 years. My three children are all currently being educated at the High School and I am also a former pupil. I am a qualified CA, having trained with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Edinburgh. I spent 3 1/2 years in the Audit Department before moving to the Public Private partnership team and joined DC Thomson in 2003. I previously sat on the V&A Dundee Board where I chaired the Finance & Risk Committee. I currently am a trustee on the V&A Dundee Foundation. I am a non-executive on British Ice Skating and also sit on the Advisory Board for Eden Scotland.

Katie Hughes

Vice Chair, Nominated by the Old Girls

Katie Hughes

I was appointed to the Board in January 2023. I am a dedicated marketing professional, with over 20 years’ experience gained both agency and client side. I am currently Head of Client Services for a global brand and creative agency, I also form part of the leadership team. I previously ran my own successful consultancy for 7 years. I have been fortunate enough to work in almost every sector and am proud of the creative campaigns and results I’ve been involved in. I have a wealth of school marketing experience and have supported the training of school marketing professionals for the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS). I train other communication professionals and act as a mentor. I am a FP of the School and I am also a current Junior School parent. In my spare time, I’m a keen equestrian and in addition to my horse, I have two mischievous labradoodles.

Peter Grewar

Vice Chair, Nominated by the Old Boys

Peter Grewar

I am a farmer based near Coupar Angus where we specialise in potato and vegetable crops as well as growing cereals and oilseeds. Grewar Farming is a modern agricultural business farming land across Perthshire, Angus and as far North as The Black Isle and Easter Ross. I also currently chair the Board at East of Scotland Farmers, which is an agricultural cooperative whose main purpose is the handling and marketing of nearly 200 members' grain, mainly to supply the whisky industry. Educated at HSD, before further study at both the Scottish Agricultural College and Edinburgh University. My wife Lucy also attended HSD and our 3 children are currently at the school. In my spare time I enjoy skiing, long distance walks and cycling. In June 2021 I walked the 105 mile distance between one of our farms on the Black Isle and our home farm at Coupar Angus, non-stop in a time of 32.5 hours raising money for Cancer Research.

Dr Bill Maxwell

Co-opted Director

Dr Bill Maxwell

I joined the Board in 2019 as a proud FP of the school. After studying Psychology at Oxford and gaining postgraduate degrees at the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, I worked as an educational psychologist before joining HM Inspectorate of Education. After a series of roles in HMIE and the Scottish Government's Education Directorate between 2002 and 2008, I became HM Chief Inspector of Education and Training for Wales. Returning to Scotland to head up the Scottish inspectorate in 2010, I then became CEO of Education Scotland, a position I held until 2017. I currently work part-time as an international consultant, supporting projects that promote quality improvement in education systems in Europe and beyond. I am also Convenor of Audit and Risk for the Scottish Care Inspectorate, a member of the Board of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and a member of the British Council's Scotland Advisory Committee.

Kerry Busfield

Co-opted Director

Kerry Busfield

I have worked for NCR for the past 18 years, starting in London, then relocating back to Scotland. I have worked in a number of roles and I am currently HR Leader for the UK & Ireland. I am a highly experienced Human Resources Leader in Compensation, Labour Relations, Management, Interviewing, and Succession Planning with a Masters’ degree from the University of Westminster, with a research focus on Personnel and Development. I have a daughter in F2 at HSD which means I feel I am ideally placed to ensure that the Parent perspective is fully represented both at a whole Board level and in sub-committees and groups. I love to keep active and fit and enjoy lots of family walks with our beloved dog, Archie. I also love to travel the world, visiting as many different places as possible and spending time in London with dear friends.

Garry Westwater

Co-Opted Director

Garry Westwater

I was appointed to the Board in December 2022. Born in St Andrews, I was raised in Fife – though I consider Monifieth as my home these days. My career has spanned several sectors including manufacturing, Government, NHS, management consultancy (Deloitte) and my own company. However, since 1998 my time has been spent in Education. I have worked in several Universities and FE Colleges - and locally with the University of Dundee, Dundee College, and Dundee & Angus Colleges. Presently, I work for Bolton College/University of Bolton as Executive Director of Finance/Group Finance Director Designate, respectively. I hold several Non-Executive Director and Trusteeships also. Outside of work, I spend quality time with my wife, our four children and four granddaughters. My hobbies include travel, theatre and sports – particularly football and golf - and I am a member of Monifieth Golf Club.

Nial Chapman

Co-Opted Director

Nial Chapman

I was appointed to the board in January 2023. I am the MD of the Altar Group and have over 20 years of management experience, providing integrated digital solutions to a diverse client base across Scotland, the UK, and abroad. I have a record of success in strategic lead generation, opportunity conversion, account management, team leadership, and the creation of digital strategies that cut through and prove transformational for clients. I studied at the University of Aberdeen and obtained a joint honours degree in Computing Science and Psychology, and an MSC in E-Commerce Technology. Before that, I attended Perth Academy. My son recently finished at the school and my daughter is currently in Senior Years.

Bruce Donaldson

Nominated By Nine Trades Of Dundee

Bruce Donaldson

I am excited at the opportunity to contribute and help shape the future direction of the school that I am a former pupil of. On a community level I am the Ex- regional Chair for Young Enterprise Scotland. I am also the current Education Convener and Trustee for The Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee and as such have a close hand in looking to further the trades involvement in education within the city on a range of levels. I am also a trustee of The Dundee Educational Trust that looks to support students financially through their College and University journey. I have worked locally as a Civil Engineer; worked as a professional musician throughout the UK and Europe; set up a successful food and drink business covering all of Scotland and beyond; and my most recent role as Sector Development Lead for the Science, Engineering, Construction and Land based departments at Dundee and Angus College.

Lauren Chamberlain

Co-opted Director

Lauren Chamberlain

Jean-Christophe Granier

Co-opted Director

Jean-Christophe Granier

I am CEO of Stirling-based revolutionary manufacturer Integrated Graphene. In 2019, I won both the Scottish and UK EY Entrepreneur of the Year “Transformational Leader” awards. I have also served as a mentor for the Saltire Foundation and firmly believe in the importance of collaboration with colleagues and our customers to ensure that we are best able to meet their needs. My wife is a former pupil of HSD and both our children are here too. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing golf and supporting my favourite football team Manchester United.

Scott Campbell

Co-opted Director

Scott Campbell

I was delighted to join the Board in August 2024 as an FP of the school. I am a Solicitor by trade having studied law at Dundee University and then founded a local Law Firm more than 20 years ago which I continue to run. I have an entrepreneurial mindset and co-founded Snappy Shopper (an e-commerce business) several years ago which is based in Dundee. My son attends the lower school and I have a strong interest in the continued success of the school. I enjoy to read, travel and follow my local football team. I enjoying playing football and golf (both badly!).

David Cheape

Co-opted Director

David Cheape

I trained as a Financial Analyst with Ciba Geigy Pharmaceuticals in London and Switzerland before joining EY Chartered Accountants, working in Dundee and Inverness primarily in Corporate Restructuring. In 1997 I joined Morton Hotels Ltd in Nairn as their Group Accountant and latterly Finance Director before returning to Angus to work at R R Spink and Sons and then C J Lang and Son Ltd. I am the current Depute Provost of Angus. I am a Trustee Director of Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee and a Non-Executive Director of NHS Tayside and a Trustee of their Charitable Foundation. In 1997 I set up Carnoustie High School Theatre Users and after 27 years, I am still on the committee! My wife, Caroline, and I have two sons who attended HSD and during their time here I was involved in the Parents Association as either Chair or Treasurer.

Graeme Reid

Nominated by the Guildry

Graeme Reid

Born in Newport and educated at the HSD (class of 1980). Thereafter I studied Computer Science at Edinburgh University. Initially, I worked in IT in the oil and brewing industries. I then spent 30 years working in procurement, initially for Diageo and latterly for GlaxoSmithKline, where I also completed an MBA. I have just retired (early) and I'm looking forward to bringing some of my business experience to benefit the HSD. I now live in Broughty Ferry with my wife, a retired teacher. I have two daughters and one grandson. I have been involved with various local 'service' clubs - Dundee Round Table, Broughty Ferry Rotary Club, Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee and The Guildry Incorporation of Dundee. I'm a trustee of the Nine Incorporated Trades, an Assessor with The Guildry and past president of The Old Boys' Club. I play racketball, golf. I'm a season ticket holder at Dundee Rugby and spend Saturday afternoons at Mayfield watching rather than playing rugby.

Dr Joe Morrow

Ex Officio Director

Dr Joe Morrow

For 35 years I been actively involved in the community and civic life in Scotland. I have been a member of the Faculty of Advocates for some years now, previous to which he was a solicitor both in private practice and in the voluntary sector. I am currently employed as President of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland and formerly President of the Additional Support Needs Tribunals for Scotland. I was appointed Lord Lyon King of Arms in 2014, King’s Counsel in 2015 and given an honorary Doctor of Laws by Edinburgh Napier University in 2016. I have served as a Justice of the Peace for the City of Dundee, sitting from 1984 till 2002. I am a Knight of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and was Chancellor of the Priory of Scotland. I am present Vice Lord Lieutenant of the City of Dundee and was elected Lord Dean in 2022. In July 2018 he was invested as a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty The Late Queen at the Palace of Hoyroodhouse Edinburgh.

Fiona Gordon

Co-opted Director

Fiona Gordon

I was delighted to be appointed to the Board. I have dedicated most of my career to the independent school sector and have over 30 years’ experience working in four of the UK’s top schools. I am keen to share my knowledge and expertise and help shape the future of the school. I am currently Head of Admissions at Fettes College, Edinburgh, after almost six years as Director of Admissions at Millfield Prep School in Somerset. Prior to my move south with my husband and children, I spent 17 years in a few different roles at Loretto School in Musselburgh and seven years at George Heriot’s School in Edinburgh. As a parent of two teenagers I understand the needs and desires of current parents. I am a former pupil and have very fond memories of my time at The High School of Dundee. In my spare time I enjoy watching and participating in sport; walks on the beach with our springer spaniel and eating out in the wonderful eateries in Edinburgh.

Simon Hindmarsh

Nominated by the Parents' Association

Simon Hindmarsh

I transitioned a few years ago from a long career in the Royal Air Force. Much of my Service life was spent flying fast jets and teaching others to do the same, safely. But the latter half was spent in a series of directorship appointments and as a Defence Attache in several overseas UK Embassies. It was a busy existence, for the entire family; but it was tremendous fun as well. For the last 3 years I have worked as a senior leader for bp, managing strategic risk. Despite our ubiquitous former lifestyle, our home of 20 years is in Cupar, where Joss, our 2 girls – both pupils at HSD – and myself share our shrinking house with 3 very dominant cats and a young yellow Labrador (whom I adore!).

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The High School of Dundee is a charity, registered in Scotland under the following nomenclature: Corporation of The High School of Dundee (SC011522), High School of Dundee Foundation (SC030842) and High School of Dundee Scholarship Fund (SC011441)

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