Our Team

Our Board of Directors

Phil Matthews is Transform Scotland’s Chair Phil Matthews is Chair of Transform Scotland and leads the work of our Board. He has worked on environment and climate change issues for over 25 years in the public, private and third sector and is passionate about the role that a sustainable transport system can play in boosting health and quality of life and cutting carbon emission. Phil is currently the Executive Director of NuLeAF (Nuclear Legacy Advisory Forum), representing local government on nuclear decommissioning and waste management. Between 2007 and 2010 he served as the Sustainable Development Commission’s (SDC) Senior Policy Advisor and Acting Director in Scotland, auditing the Scottish Government’s performance on sustainable development and reporting to the First Minister. Originally from Aberdeen, Phil now lives in Edinburgh. He holds an Honours Degree in Geography from Edinburgh University and a Masters (with Distinction) in Environmental Change and Management from Oxford University. LinkedIn profile

Stuart Hay is Head of Living Streets Scotland and is Transform Scotland’s Treasurer Stuart Hay is the Scottish Director of the national walking charity Living Streets. He has worked in policy and development roles for charities and social enterprises for over 17 years. This includes work with Changeworks, Friends of the Earth Scotland, The Scottish Wildlife Trust and Help the Aged. His work has ranged from policy and influencing to developing new projects and partnership with a wide range of funders. He was a founder member of the Edinburgh Solar Coop that raised £1.4 from a community for a schools renewable project.  At Living Streets he oversees a team delivering a programme of community street audits and a schools walking project which reaches over 200,000 pupils across Scotland. In 2018, he help to produce the second edition of the pedestrian pound on the economic case for investment in walking. As a director at Transform Scotland he provides strategic advice on campaigns, policy and project development. LinkedIn profile

Damien Henderson is Scottish Affairs and Media Manager at Avanti West Coast Damien has led the rail franchise’s media and stakeholder engagement in Scotland since 2013 and plays an active role in campaigning for sustainable transport. He has worked with Transform Scotland to highlight the positive role cross-border rail has played in reducing Scotland’s carbon footprint while growing passenger numbers. He recently helped establish the Glasgow Connectivity Commission, which under the chairmanship of Professor David Begg published a radical transport blueprint for Scotland’s largest city region, prioritising healthy modes of travel and public transport as well as investment in people-friendly places. Damien sits on Scottish Chambers of Commerce’s Business Advisory Group and was previously Transport Correspondent for The Herald where he covered all modes of transport. He is passionate about understanding the wider societal role transport should play driving in economic development, inclusivity, decarbonisation, better health and urban planning.  LinkedIn profile

Cllr Lesley Macinnes is the Convenor of the Transport and Environment Committee at The City of Edinburgh Council Lesley is an SNP Councillor for Liberton and Gilmerton, the Transport & Environment Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, and Deputy Leader of the SNP group on the Council. She is particularly committed to shaping a sustainable, inclusive and healthy transport environment in Edinburgh which equips the city for the future and delivering an attractive environment for all those who live, work and visit Scotland’s beautiful capital city. This commitment reflects Lesley’s role at Transform as part of the Board. Originally from Skye, she grew up in several places in Scotland and as an adult has lived both rurally and in Glasgow and Edinburgh. For almost 15 years she lived and worked around Geneva in Switzerland as part of the senior management team for an international NGO dealing with landmines and cluster munitions. Most of her working life has been in the public sector in communications, inward investment and NGO management.

Mike Robinson is the Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) Mike is the Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) based in Perth, a role he has held since 2008. He has worked in the Scottish charity and environment sector for the last 25 years, initially with RSPB as Head of Marketing, and later with the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh as Director of Development. In a voluntary capacity, Mike has held more than forty board/advisory roles, mostly for environment and human rights bodies, including as Founder and Chair of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS). He also sits on the advisory groups for Air Passenger Duty & ScotRail, and the board of Transform Scotland. He is a member of the Arctic Strategy Forum & Perth City Development Board and is heavily involved in promoting climate change solutions. He recently became Co-chair of the independent inquiry on Farming for 1.5 Degrees. Mike holds two Honorary Fellowships (Scottish Environment Link and Royal Canadian Geographical Society) and several awards for his services to the environment.

Keith Watson is the Customer Development Director of Alexander Dennis Limited Keith Watson is the Customer Development Director of bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL). In this role Keith liaises with customers looking for ideas and suggestions to develop and improve the company’s product and services. He also supports the Customer, Engineering and Sales at ADL with technical and product expertise, the introduction of new bus models, features, and drivetrains. Keith also represents ADL when working with government, local government, transport authorities and trade bodies. He has technical, sales, and aftermarket support experience which he gained from his time working with Terex Construction and Mining Division for 6 years, and with Cummins Engine Company for 23 years, where he held international roles.

Julianne Robertson is the Communications Manager for Xplore Dundee Julianne is the Communications Manager for Xplore Dundee, the only Scottish business in National Express’s UK Bus division. She’s responsible for media and public relations, helping to forge strong local partnerships and managing business reputation. Since joining the company in 2012 Julianne has developed a robust communications strategy for the bus operator, assisting with the rebrand from National Express Dundee to Xplore Dundee, developing internal and digital comms channels, supporting technical innovations such as mobile and contactless ticketing, and publicising the operator’s significant moves towards a low emission fleet. She also represents the company on Dundee’s Living Wage Action Group. Julianne has experience of broadcast and print journalism and was previously a news editor at both of the city’s commercial radio stations. Born and raised in Northern Ireland, Julianne has been a citizen of Dundee for the past 20 years. Her interest in sustainability and environmental matters is reflected in her passion for plants and all things horticultural, and she is an enthusiastic advocate for the physical and mental health benefits of gardening and being outdoors in nature.

Cllr Anna Richardson is the Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction at Glasgow City Council Anna is a Glasgow City Councillor representing Langside Ward. Anna graduated with an MA (Hons) in Geography in 2001 from the University of Glasgow and an MSc in Human Resource Management in 2005 from the University of Strathclyde. She worked in various public sector administrative roles before spending 9 years at home raising her three children.  During that time she gained an HND in Antenatal Education and worked part-time for the national parenting charity NCT. Anna was elected as Councillor for Langside Ward in Glasgow in 2015, and again in 2017.  She is currently Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, with a particular interest in transport, equalities and leading the city’s response to the climate emergency.

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Our Policy Forum

Paul Tetlaw is a committee member of Capital Rail Action Group and is the Convener of Transform Scotland’s Policy Forum Paul spent most of his career in environmental management in the water industry and was formerly a General Manager with Scottish Water. He was born in Yorkshire where he started his career in the water industry before moving to Scotland in 1980. He qualified as Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Fellow of the Institution of Water and Environmental Management. He has had a long-term interest in sustainable transport and its relationship to individuals’ quality of life and the built environment. He is a member of the steering group of Capital Rail Action Group (CRAG), who he represents on the Policy Forum of Transform Scotland. Paul also represents Transform Scotland on Transport Scotland’s High-Speed Rail Partnership Group and ScotRail’s Stakeholder Advisory Panel – which he Chaired for three years from 2016 to 2019. He is on the Committee of the Scottish Association for Public Transport and was the Chair of Transform Scotland between October 2006 and October 2010. Currently Paul spends most of his time at Transform Scotland focussing on rail issues aiming to influence the agenda for rail expansion within Scotland and on cross-border services. He is particularly proud of the part that Transform Scotland played in helping to ensure that a tram system was delivered in Edinburgh. LinkedIn profile

Helen Todd is Campaigns & Policy Manager at Ramblers Scotland Helen sits on the policy forum at Transform Scotland, but was previously a board member from 2006 to 2016 including spells as vice-chair and acting chair.  Helen has a particular interest in increasing current levels of walking and cycling as forms of transport and for leisure travel.  Helen is currently the Campaigns and Policy Manager at Ramblers Scotland. Before working for Ramblers Scotland Helen was a campaigns researcher for Friends of the Earth Scotland, and has also served as chair of Scottish Environment LINK.

Malcolm Reed Malcolm Reed was the first Chief Executive of Transport Scotland and was previously Director General of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive. Since retiring from full-time employment in 2009 he has held a variety of advisory and consultancy roles in the transport sector both north and south of the border, which have included assignments for Virgin Trains, Nexus, and Abellio. His previous career included posts at Glasgow University, the Planning Exchange in Glasgow, Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive, and Strathclyde Regional Council, latterly as assistant chief executive with responsibility for the Council’s infrastructure and protective services. He was appointed a CBE for services to transport in the 2004 new year’s honours. Malcolm maintains his professional interest in transport through fellowships of the CILT, CIHT, and the Institute of Railway Operators, and his strong personal commitment to sustainable transport is reflected in his current role as Vice-President of SAPT. He is also a member of the Advisory Panel of the Railway Heritage Trust and for many years has served on the judging panel of the National Rail Awards.

Stefan Maurice is an Infrastructure Coordinator for Sustrans Scotland Stefan is an Infrastructure Coordinator for Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme, where he supports communities and local authorities to design and create active travel infrastructure which improves health, wellbeing, and our physical environment. In 2018, Scotland’s Year of Young People, he was awarded a travel scholarship by CSGNT to examine youth engagement with sustainable urban design across the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. With a background in mathematics and a previous career in software development, Stefan was a passionate proponent of sustainable travel before volunteering and retraining to bring his skills to the transport sector. As a member of the Policy Forum, he supports and informs Transform Scotland’s work on strategic transport developments. In his spare time, Stefan enjoys exploring Scotland’s coastal paths. As a musician, Stefan can be heard in Edinburgh-based band, Hamish Hawk and the New Outfit, or organising the in-house Sustrans band.

John McCormick is Chairman of the Scottish Association for Public Transport (SAPT) John McCormick has been the Chair of Scottish Association for Public Transport (SAPT) since 1991. John campaigns for an integrated public transport system for Scotland. As well as being chair of SAPT, he is on the committee of the Friends of the West Highland Lines. He is a member of the Scottish High-Speed Rail group, and the West Highland Line Review Group. John has a degree in Natural Philosophy from Glasgow University and a PhD in high energy nuclear physics, and worked for two years as a research fellow in CERN (Geneva) where he gained an appreciation of the Swiss integrated public transport. He subsequently worked in IT Management in Weir Group.

Bruce Whyte is a Public Health Programme Manager at the Glasgow Centre for Population Health (GCPH). Bruce sits on the policy forum at Transform Scotland and was previously a board member. At GCPH, Bruce leads a programme of research into active and sustainable travel. Recent publications have included a review of cycling casualties and near misses in Scotland and an evaluation of a bike inclusion scheme (Bikes for All). He is currently involved in analysis of cycling and walking trends during lockdown and research to estimate the health economic impact of pedestrian and cycle commuting in Scotland.

John Pinkard is the Managing Director of Ansons Consulting Ltd. John is a member of Transform Scotland’s Policy Forum and was previously a member, Vice-Chair and Chair of the  Board. He has a deep understanding of the role sustainable travel and transport can play in creating a better world and is committed to helping deliver this outcome. John arrived in the UK in 2004, having started his 30+ year career in Australia. His day job is Managing Director of Ansons Consulting Ltd, a company that specialises in planning, delivering and evaluating measures designed to reduce the social, environmental, economic and/ or financial impacts of travel and transport. Alongside his consultancy work, John has also spent several years working in a range of relevant public sector policy and strategy roles and has volunteered his time to support the work of several charities. He holds a degree in Outdoor Education and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business.

Our Staff

Director: Colin Howden Colin has managed Transform Scotland since 1998. He has extensive experience in campaigns, public affairs and political relations, is a regular contributor to the Scottish media and has published widely on all aspects of sustainable transport policy and practice. As the Director of Transform Scotland, Colin has overseen the design and publication of numerous campaign reports and publications for diverse audiences, from members of the public to senior business leaders and politicians. He is particularly adept at communicating complex technical information in an easy to understand way. He has in-depth knowledge of transport policy, operations and politics in Scotland, having worked with transport companies and senior stakeholders for over fifteen years. Colin was also Board member and Treasurer of the European Federation for Transport and Environment from 2009 to 2012. He can be reached via this webform. LinkedIn profile

Enterprise Manager: Elspeth Wray Elspeth joined Transform Scotland in 2014 to take charge of consultancy, fundraising and membership. An experienced manager, she leads projects for Transform’s partners on everything from researching the benefits of 20mph speed limits to piloting a bike hire scheme or promoting car-free tourism. Elspeth started her career as a botanist before rapidly realising that she prefers talking to people than to plants. She spent several years as an Environmental Consultant at Wood Group, where she advised clients on stakeholder relations and corporate responsibility, before leaving for Pennsylvania and fulfilling her childhood ambition to volunteer as a Ranger for the US National Parks Service. On returning to the UK Elspeth joined the Design Council as Programme Manager, with responsibility for transforming the former government quango into an enterprising charity with diverse income. She holds a master’s degree in Global Environmental Policy from Imperial College London and the Association for Project Management Professional Certificate. Since selling her car Elspeth has rediscovered her love for buses and keeps busy at the weekends taking her family on increasingly complex bus trips around Edinburgh. LinkedIn profile

Fundraising Manager: Emma Margrett Emma has worked and volunteered for Transform Scotland since 2013, initially as Development Officer, then Board Member and is currently Head of Fundraising. Emma’s main role is to research, review, write and submit funding applications to support Transform’s core aims. Emma’s background isn’t sustainable transport related but financial, environmental and development. Emma represented Transform on the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund grants panel for three years and was previously on the Boards of Comrie Development Trust and New Caledonian Woodlands. She does not drive (due to emissions plus being a total liability) so her bike is the main form of transport. Emma also likes table tennis and was a founding member of the Transform table tennis club. LinkedIn profile

External Affairs Manager: Jess Pepper Jess is the External Affairs Manager at Transform Scotland. She is an experienced strategic communications consultant with a professional background in public affairs, research, events and engaging communication on environmental and community projects and programmes. She combines wide experience in project management with strong communication skills, expertise on Government and Parliamentary processes, community engagement, campaigns and fresh initiatives with wide audiences; and has worked with organisations including WWF Scotland, Living Streets, Scottish Water, Children’s Parliament and Transport Scotland. Jess is on the Board of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, a Climate Reality Leader/Mentor (trained by Al Gore in 2013) and a Carbon Conversations facilitator. She loves trains and electric buses!

Research Manager: Michelle Brophy Michelle joined Transform Scotland in 2015, in this time she has managed and undertaken various key research projects for sustainable transport (reviewing the economic benefits of buses and cycling) and parking (assessing the benefits of workplace parking levies). Her role has also involved managing the research advisory group with members from universities, private sector consultancies, sustainable transport charities and local government. She has also delivered presentations at the Transform members’ sessions and even enjoyed a brief TV appearance. She has worked in Transportation for the last 15 years. Michelle started her career in engineering consultancy working for various companies in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. However, when she accepted a transport planning role at the Department of Transport in Perth (Western Australia), she soon realised her passion for sustainable travel and the benefits it has for society. Since being back in the United Kingdom she has loved having a variety of job roles including: traffic engineer at TP&E (Cycling Scotland) and civil engineering lecturer/mentor roles at Kelvin College and Strathclyde University. Michelle has a BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering from the University of West of Scotland and an MSc in Transportation Planning and Engineering from Napier University. She is a member of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation. Michelle is passionate about advocating for pedestrian facilities and loves nothing more than taking her daughter on local walks in Renfrewshire where she lives.

Communications Officer: Matt McDonald Matt performs the communication tasks for Transform, managing the social media and web platforms, while also assisting on influencing and research. He also works as an environmental educator for Earth Calling, teaching young people about nature, wildlife, and looking after the natural world around them. Matt has an MA in Geography and Politics from the University of Edinburgh, graduating in 2016.  His main areas of studies are in environmental politics and environmental science completing research on the role of Scottish politics on global climate policy and environmental change in Iceland and Northern Scotland. LinkedIn Profile

Policy Officer: Marie Ferdelman Marie supports the delivery of campaigns and events and carries out research, writing and project management tasks for Transform Scotland. Next to this role, she also works for Sustrans as Infrastructure Officer, delivering active travel projects. Marie graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2018 with an MSc in Global Environment, Politics and Society and subsequently worked on cycling and sustainable transport projects for staff and students in the University’s Transport Office. Marie is a keen cyclist with a love of long train journeys and is particularly enthusiastic about trains that allow bikes to be brought onboard.

Our Volunteers

Communications Assistant: Rachel McFarlane Rachel is currently interning as a Communications Assistant with Transform Scotland. She has recently finished her degree at the University of Glasgow studying politics and sociology. She developed an interest in environmental policy and communications after taking the modules ‘Global Environmental Politics’ and ‘Political Communications and Democracy’ as part of her undergraduate degree. Channelling her efforts into the future well-being of the environment is at the centre of her decision to intern at Transform. She also enjoys taking the train and wanted a good excuse to spend more time on the Scotrail service to Waverley!

Policy Advisor: Nigel Bagshaw Nigel’s job is to monitor Edinburgh City Council’s implementation of the tram project and any other transport plans and issues affecting the city. He has long been involved in transport issues as a local environmental campaigner. Nigel also served as a councillor on Edinburgh City Council from 2012 to 2017 where he spoke for the Green group on transport and planning matters and sat on the Board of Transport for Edinburgh. He spends a lot of time travelling by public transport throughout Europe, particularly the east, always with a keen eye on other cities’ urban transport systems and history.

Policy Advisor: Chris Day As Policy Advisor Chris has, inter alia, helped form and argue our positions on the Transport Bill, City Region Deals, and Air Departure Tax. After working as a Social and Community Worker, in 1992 Chris joined the Lothian Regional Council’s Accessible Transport Team, moving on in the City of Edinburgh Council to work on transport policy, planning, strategy, and public transport including buses, rail, and taxis. After a varied career in transport he retired in 2016. Chris’ first experience of transport activism was, aged 8 or 9, writing ‘Marples must go’ in the dirt on his father’s car. Marples, indeed, went shortly thereafter.

 

Please note that, except from Colin Howden, all of our staff and volunteers work part-time.
All media enquiries should be directed to Colin Howden on 07956 394121 or via this webform.