Our team

I joined Winning Scotland in 2021, driven by a passion for creating the conditions where every young person can thrive. My role spans strategy, governance, team support, and building partnerships to help achieve our mission.

Before this, I worked in children and young people’s mental health at the Scottish Government, supported social enterprises at CEIS Group, and ran my own retail business. I’ve also worked in purpose-led companies focused on creating and measuring social value.

As a neurodivergent, ethnic minority woman, single parent and sometime foster carer, I’m committed to ensuring diverse voices shape Scotland’s future. I volunteer as a mentor with PilotLight and MCR Pathways and have served as Vice Chair at Social Enterprise Scotland and Trustee at Sacro.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahrahedges/

Email: zahra@winningscotland.org

I’ve been with Winning Scotland since 2006, stepping into the CEO role in February 2026. Prior to this I held a variety of roles, including fundraising and developing partnerships across the public, private and third sectors. I have also managed our diverse programmes involving growth mindset and artificial intelligence, and deliver growth mindset training for our private sector partners.

Outside Winning Scotland I’ve written for a number of newspapers and magazines, co-written two books and regularly deliver media and presentation skills training. I'm a trustee of the charity Healthy Valleys in Lanarkshire. Any spare minute involves a mix of family, sport and cooking.

Email: richard@winningscotland.org

I love my role and the variety it brings. I am motivated by supporting colleagues to perform at their best. At Winning Scotland, I love learning every day - professionally and personally - from a talented team who inspire me with their expertise and passion. My background as an Executive Assistant has equipped me to handle a wide variety of tasks with attention to detail, a strength that works particularly well in a small team environment.

Before this, I worked as a lecturer and tutor, which fostered my ability to communicate clearly, adapt quickly, and support the learning of others. Inspired always by my young son, I am passionate about applying growth mindset principles at home as well as at work. Outside of work, I enjoy football, music, animals, and travelling.

Email: kirsten@winningscotland.org

I joined Winning Scotland in 2019 as a tutor on the Mindset in Education programme and have since held various roles focused on strengthening the impact and evidence of our mindset work. With a background in psychology and research, I’ve worked across education and community settings with people of all ages, which deepened my belief in the importance of supportive environments for helping people thrive.

At Winning Scotland, I’m motivated by seeing individuals apply what they’ve learned and experience genuine change that benefits them and the young people they support. I believe in the power of positive relationships, feeling valued, having purpose, and being connected to the people and places around us.

Outside of work, I love the outdoors with my dog, travelling, live music and comedy, reading, and time with loved ones. I’m also a big foodie!

Email: aoife@winningscotland.org

Being a Project Manager at Winning Scotland is a dream role. No two days are the same, but every day I get to work with amazing people. Brilliant colleagues, professionals that do a wonderful job supporting young people in Scotland, and inspirational delivery partners. Knowing that the programmes we craft make a real difference to the confidence, resilience and wellbeing of those we work with and, in turn, the young people they are there for, is life affirming. I love being able to draw upon my experience as an economist, in communications, community investment and volunteering, and put it all to good use!

Email: sharon@winningscotland.org

I am currently supporting the implementation of Planet Youth in Scotland, seeing exciting green shoots of systems change and prevention across the country. Previously, I have developed, designed, managed, and worked in various services supporting young people and families using a range of approaches. Seeing the impact that capacity building and supporting communities can have on increasing resilience, hope, and wellbeing outcomes for young people has been significant for me.

Joining the organisation and Planet Youth aligns closely with what I believe in and know can work for our bairns. I have a real passion for improving mental health and wellbeing, for everyone. Outside of my role, I have particular interest in psychological safety and wellbeing at work. Ensuring we look after our workforce is one of the most important ways we can look after our young people and communities.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-moore-7b8900218/

Email: morgan@winningscotland.org

I joined Winning Scotland in 2026 as Fundraising Manager, inspired by the organisation’s vision for a confident and resilient Scotland where all children and young people can flourish. I bring over 20 years’ experience in senior fundraising and charity leadership roles across the healthcare, education and social care sectors, working in Scotland and overseas. These experiences have shaped a deep belief in the power of philanthropy to unlock possibility and to create lasting, transformational impact.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking and keeping active. Over the years, I’ve also explored a wide mix of interests, from skydiving and boxing to aviation.

Email: ian@winningscotland.org

I started with Winning Scotland in 2025 and I have loved my time here! Some of the things that I work on are Finance, website maintenance, and support with the Mindset programmes we provide. I have previous experience in Risk and Compliance, as well as with some other charities. My favourite things about my job are the friendly work environment, the great cause we are all working towards and the fact that I get to be involved in so many different areas of work.

In my spare time I do Taekwondo and some creative hobbies such as jewellery making and painting.

Email: humera@winningscotland.org

I am proud to support the implementation of Planet Youth in Scotland, working with dedicated partners across the country to help create healthier, happier communities. My background is in violence prevention and partnership working, with a particular focus on using data and evaluation to understand what drives meaningful, lasting change. For me, prevention is about creating the conditions that allow children, young people, and families to thrive - not just today, but for years to come.

Being part of Winning Scotland and the wider Planet Youth team means I get to work alongside passionate, like-minded people who are deeply committed to improving outcomes for our local communities. I am continually inspired by the commitment, creativity, and optimism of our partners, and that shared sense of purpose motivates me every day. Outside of work, I can usually be found either out hiking with my partner and wee one, or curled up on the couch with our pups and a good book.

Email: megan@winningscotland.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-moore-00951753/

Catherine was a founding member of Scottish Equity Partners (SEP), one of the UK’s leading growth equity firms. In 2023 she stepped back from her role as Chief Operating Officer, where she oversaw SEP’s operational functions including finance, administration and marketing.

She began her career as a corporate lawyer with Maclay Murray & Spens before moving into structured finance at Bank of Scotland. She later joined the venture capital team at Scottish Development Finance and went on to establish SEP with colleagues. Catherine is a Trustee of the Scottish Ballet Endowment Fund and has previously served as Deputy Chair of the Stirling Children’s Panel and as a mentor for the Prince’s Trust.

In March 2024 she succeeded Sir Bill Gammell as Chair of Winning Scotland.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-simpson-aba9273b/?locale=de_DE

Sarah is a Chartered Educational Psychologist and Coach with over 20 years’ experience in education. She began her career in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire before becoming Principal Educational Psychologist for Midlothian Council.

She later spent three years as Director of Learning for Scotland with Osiris Educational, working with schools, local authorities and national organisations. Now running her own business, Saorsa Psychology, and co-hosting the Changing Conversations podcast, Sarah continues to support education leaders through coaching and leadership development.

Her mission has always been to maximise the impact of psychology so that all children in Scotland can reach their potential. Supporting the work of Winning Scotland offers another opportunity to achieve this.

Sir Bill Gammell founded Cairn Energy (now Capricorn Energy PLC) and was Chief Executive from its stock market listing in 1988 until 2011, later serving as Chairman until 2014. Under his leadership, Cairn returned $4.5 billion to shareholders. He is currently a Director of Figured Ltd, advising clients on strategy.

With more than 35 years in the international oil and gas industry, Sir Bill was knighted in 2006 for services to industry in Scotland. A former Scotland rugby international (1977–1980), he has served on boards across the UK, US, Europe, Australia and India, and contributed to Glasgow 2014 and the British Olympic Advisory Board.

In 2006 he founded Winning Scotland to raise aspirations and self-belief among young people, with over £10 million invested to date. He stepped down as Chair in 2024. Educated at Fettes College and Stirling University, he is married with four sons.

Torquil Macnaughton is a founding partner of Penta, where he has invested in the growth of UK companies across a wide range of sectors. His former Non-Executive Directorships include Geronimo Inns, Eat. The Real Food Company and Six Degrees Technology Group. He currently serves on the boards of Talk Talk and Circle Health Holdings.

Based in Glasgow, he is married with three children and enjoys rugby, golf and fishing.

Before establishing Penta in 1999, Torquil worked with the private equity arm of the Royal Bank of Scotland and in the leveraged finance team at Bank of Scotland.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torquil-macnaughton-8b677/?originalSubdomain=uk

Celia is Chief Executive of Inspiring Scotland and has led its collaborative approach to creating a better Scotland since its founding in 2008. She previously spent 20 years with Pfizer, driving innovation in pharmaceutical sales and marketing.

Passionate about unlocking potential in people and communities, Celia champions partnership working and serves on several community and advisory groups. She is a Trustee of Winning Scotland, Chair of the Scottish Recovery Consortium, an Advisor to Common Purpose Scotland, and a member of the Scottish Violence Reduction Governance group.

An advocate for the power of sport to build confidence and break down barriers, Celia is a British Cycling coach in track, road and time-trial. She also co-founded the Clydesdale Colts youth cycling group in Lanarkshire, which she now chairs.

Colette founded Grant Property, a leading property investment and management business, over 30 years ago and sold her interest in 2019 to embark on a new chapter at www.colettegrant.com. As a certified Transformational Coach and Mentor, she focuses on people, resilience, confidence, state of mind and creativity. She is also a Trustee of Entrepreneurial Scotland Foundation and The Saltire Programmes.

An advocate of lifelong learning, Colette leads with individuality, choosing authenticity and passion over perfection.

She lives in Edinburgh and enjoys time with family and friends, as well as travelling and adventuring with her partner, Stuart.

After graduating from Leicester, David began his career at the Bristol Evening Post before spending over 15 years with the BBC in television, radio news and current affairs.

He moved into corporate communications in 1998 and joined Cairn Energy PLC (now Capricorn Energy PLC) in 2004, leading investor relations and communications. From 2006–2008 he was Director of Corporate Communications during the IPO of Cairn India, based in New Delhi.

David left Capricorn in 2023 and now holds a range of advisory roles. He is a senior advisor at Rothschild & Co and serves on the board of the UK India Business Council.

Married with three children, David lives in the Borders and has spent many hours on touchlines supporting their sport. A former Chair of Governors at Cargilfield School, Edinburgh, he joined the Winning Scotland board in 2014.