Chair

Helen has been passionate about learning her entire life; her first teaching role was as a Sunday School teacher aged 13 in Edinburgh. State-school educated, she earned a place at Oxford University to study Modern Languages, and subsequently had a career as a teacher and school leader in the UK and Australia – a career which has now evolved into leadership recruitment and coaching across the world. She gains tremendous joy from having impact, and from helping leaders release their inner potential, so that they can help others, and she firmly believes that the future of this planet is in the hands of young people. She is an experienced non-executive director, trustee and chair; she loves finding innovative solutions to knotty problems, and to inspiring and catalysing practical action.

Currently learning… about the history of modern China

Trustee

Stuart was educated at a state school in East Lothian, read law at Oxford University and completed his legal studies at York College of Law. He trained as a lawyer in London and has lived and worked in Hong Kong, mainland China and Singapore. Now based in Edinburgh, in recent years he has been working as a partner in an international law firm, giving advice to clients in the UK and overseas on corporate law and governance with a focus on mergers and acquisitions and private equity. Stuart was lucky to experience an extremely positive school environment and he took a huge amount from it. As a trustee he is delighted to be able to contribute to LUL’s work.

Currently learning… Spanish (modern languages having been a struggle at school!).

Trustee & Secretary

Clare grew up with a strong sense of justice and a love of learning. From a young age, she questioned the status quo and was always striving to create a more fair and equal society. State-school educated, she earned a place at The University of Edinburgh to study law. She spent a year of her studies in Copenhagen where she developed an interest in Danish lifestyle and culture. Clare trained as a lawyer in Edinburgh and has worked in London. She is currently working as an Associate in an international law firm, focussing on employment law. She is passionate about helping create diverse and inclusive workplaces and striving for gender equality. Clare chairs the Women’s Network in the law firm she works for and participates in many mentoring and volunteering schemes. Clare takes great pleasure in helping others fulfil their potential. She believes that promoting student led learning is vital for the future generation. Being a LUL trustee means that Clare can help make that ambition a reality.

Currently learning… about coding (including html and javascript).

Trustee & Treasurer

Alice is a life coach, trainer and facilitator as well as being a former management consultant, investment analyst & fundraiser. She is passionate about tackling inequality and empowering those furthest from power and believes that knowledge and education is key to achieving this. Alice is also a champion for diversity and inclusion and keen to play her part in creating resilient and sustainable societies. In her spare time she loves bikepacking and hiking in the Scottish Highlands.

Currently learning.......about psychology and human behaviour, a field where there will always be something new for her to discover

Trustee

Jen has spent her career working in both education and charity spaces. Living in Ghana, Togo and Malawi, she has had the privilege of working with local experts, teachers and students to develop alternative, basic education programmes to support young people who have left the formal education system. In Scotland, she has worked as a Principal Teacher in Edinburgh and Glasgow and has always been passionate about facilitating co-curricular experiences for young people to enable them to explore passions and interests outside of the classroom. Her current role involves supporting teachers in Scotland to develop a global citizenship approach to teaching and learning, exploring topics such as sustainability, social justice and equality. Jen is delighted to have the opportunity to bring her passion for holistic, child-centred learning to LUL.

Currently (re)learning … how to play the piano!

Trustee

Steven's career in IT began immediately after school when he chose vocational training over university. With over 20 years in the field, he is now a Vice President at a large investment management firm, focusing on cybersecurity and Linux system configuration management. Steven, being neurodivergent, values alternative learning styles that resonate with different cognitive styles and is an advocate for practical, hands-on learning. He has facilitated numerous technical workshops and enjoys the challenge of learning new technologies, which allows him to explore and adopt new methods and ideas. As a trustee for Light Up Learning, Steven hopes to apply his experience to support an educational approach that embraces active, engaged learning.

Currently learning... Archery and how not to grow vegetables.