Meet the team

Ann Landels

Ann graduated with an MA (Hons) in History from the University of Edinburgh, followed by a PG Cert in Youth & Community Work from Aberdeen College of Education.

Ann worked initially as a community education worker before becoming a head of service for Culture and Learning at Aberdeen City Council. In 2011, Ann moved to the voluntary sector to work as Director of Crisis Skylight Edinburgh, Ann established and developed the charity’s outreach services delivering education, training and one-to-one support to homeless people in Edinburgh and East Lothian. She also nurtured links with the Scottish Government and homelessness organisations across Scotland.

Kathrine Mackie

Kathrine graduated from the University of Edinburgh BA LLB and was admitted as a Solicitor in 1978, practising principally in the field of civil litigation.  

From 1994 until 1997, Kathrine served as the first female President of the Society of Solicitors in the Supreme Courts of Scotland, and appointed as a Sheriff in 2000. She retired from the judiciary in 2018 but still holds a commission to sit as required. She is advisor to the Board of Community Justice Scotland, Chair of the Independent Prison Monitors Advisory Group, and Chair of the Board of Aid & Abet.

Malcolm Melville

Malcolm is a risk advisory consultant running a management consultancy practice focused on technology and security for financial institutions. 

He advises global firms on mergers and acquisitions and speaks at conferences on these subjects as well as on the impacts and application of current and emerging technology. Malcolm trained as an engineer and is qualified as an auditor for risk and security and in company direction. He has a keen interest in education and serves to support organisations equipping people of all ages with skills for the modern era.

Claire Middlebrook

Claire is a licensed insolvency practitioner and chartered accountant, working with individuals, company directors and partnerships on formal insolvency appointments, solvent restructuring and risk reviews.

Recognised within her peer group, Claire has been asked to speak at industry conferences on various matters within insolvency as well as being consulted on a regular basis by members of the professional community. She has in-depth knowledge of the licensed trade, payroll agencies, agriculture, construction, legal firms, and the leisure industry. Claire is a member of R3, the trade body for insolvency professionals and joined the Apex Scotland Board in January 2022.

Elinor Jayne

Elinor has worked in health and third sector policy and advocacy for most of her career. She currently heads up Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), an NGO dedicated to influencing alcohol policy in Scotland and beyond. 

In this role, Elinor has led work to investigate opportunities to better support people with alcohol problems in the justice system.. 

Elinor gained experience of charity governance as a trustee for homelessness charity, Cyrenians. Prior, Elinor worked in Scottish and UK advocacy roles for the healthcare charity, Sue Ryder, and for the Royal College of Nursing Scotland.

Helen Anderson

A fundraiser at heart, Helen has a well-established career in the not-for-profit sector, having held a number of senior management positions within a range of arts, youth work and development organisations. 

An enthusiastic and experienced senior leader, she is passionate about social justice and the opportunities for third sector, civil society, philanthropy and private sector to work together to create social impact and sustainable solutions for local and global challenges. She has been Scotland Director at the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award since 2020 and was previously a Director of Glasgow Women’s Library and Baldy Bane Theatre company.

Stephen Bermingham

Stephen is currently Head of Practice and Policy at Children’s Hearings Scotland.  Prior to this, he held management roles in the voluntary sector, NHS, Local Government and the Children’s Commissioner’s Office.

In his free time, Stephen enjoys playing football and basketball. He loves spending his holidays hillwalking and wild camping in the North West of Scotland.

Hawys Kilday

Hawys began her career in the NHS as a National Management Trainee, following which she undertook a number of managerial roles in Edinburgh hospitals. 

Hawys has gained extensive experience within senior leadership positions in the third sector as CEO of Caledonia Youth, Assistant Director of Services at Barnardo’s Scotland and Director of Services at Sight Scotland, prior to joining Apex Scotland as CEO. 

She places particular importance on inclusive leadership, appreciating the benefits in motivating, inspiring and building teams that feel empowered. Hawys is passionate that services are delivered to the highest standards ensuring these are person-centred.

Email: hawys@apexscotland.org.uk

Emma Wilson

Emma leads our provision of services and programmes at Apex Scotland. She oversees the organisation’s approach to practice, and the rationale for the way this generates meaningful impact for people who access our services. Emma is responsible for ensuring that Apex Scotland’s dedicated workforce deliver services that inspire and empower individuals to have a positive future.

Emma has operated in a range of roles supporting the development and delivery of services and leading strategic thinking and intent in this area.

She thrives on growing meaningful partnerships, working in collaboration with others to maximise the impact for individuals.

Email: emma@apexscotland.org.uk

Kerry Lindsay

Kerry leads our marketing, communications and fundraising function. As we seek to bring our Apex Scotland Foundation programme to all areas of Scotland, Kerry and her team are responsible for raising funds through donations, corporate support and trusts.

Kerry joined in March 2024 with over 20 years’ experience in the charity sector. She started her career with the British Red Cross. Kerry has worked in fundraising, marketing and communications for charities including Age Scotland, Sight Scotland and Down’s Syndrome Scotland as well as spending 10 years in Ireland heading up fundraising and communications for a hospital foundation.

Email: kerry@apexscotland.org.uk