Alan Torrance Expand Alan was born and raised in the East End of Glasgow. He left school at the age of 15. Alan has worked in jobs as diverse as Abattoir Porter to Theatrical Dancer, with a number of colourful positions in between. Through the blood and bones of Alan runs his love of Scotland, the traditions, the land, the people and more importantly the future. This is where GalGael comes in. Alan hopes he can contribute positively to the strength and wellbeing of GalGael moving forward in to new adventures ahead.
Alan Edmonds Expand Alan was born, educated and served a toolmaking apprenticeship in Dundee. He went on to become an engineer in the merchant navy, traveling the world as a deep-sea tourist predominantly to Australia and New Zealand. On returning to Dundee, Alan joined Timex Corporation as a toolmaker, and progressed through a number of business development and production management roles within their factories in the UK, Far East and Europe. Alan moved to factory management positions in a number of international telecoms and computer manufacturing companies In 2007, Alan retired from his role as Operations Manager for Jabil Circuit in Ayr including supporting the start-up of a new factory in Ukraine. Alan joined GalGael in 2008 as a volunteer bringing with him 50 years of experience in sailing.
Dr Alastair McIntosh Expand Founding board member, Alastair McIntosh is an Isle of Lewis-raised writer, broadcaster and campaigning academic best known for his work on land reform on Eigg, in helping to stop the Harris superquarry; also for developing human ecology as an applied academic discipline in Scotland. He holds a degree of BSc in geography, submajoring in psychology and moral philosophy from the University of Aberdeen (1977), an MBA, specialising in finance, from the University of Edinburgh (1981) and a PhD by Published Works on liberation theology and contemporary Scottish land reform from the Academy of Irish Cultural Heritages at the University of Ulster (2008).
John Macpherson - Treasurer Expand John has been Galgael's Treasurer since 2017. He graduated in Accountancy & French from the University of Aberdeen before working in audit & corporate tax, where he worked with a variety of clients, from sole traders to FTSE 100 companies in Aberdeen and Glasgow. He then moved to work in the pension & life insurance sector in a variety of accountancy & management roles. John is also the Treasurer for his children’s school parents’ association. He describes volunteering at Galgael as good for the soul and says that having people thank him for coming and doing what he does is a refreshing change from the corporate world.
Mike McCarron Expand Mike has been involved with Galgael since 2000 when he helped coordinate multi-agency approaches to address drug problems in Greater Glasgow. GalGael was becoming known for the inclusive and non-stigmatizing way it welcomed recovering drug users to join its work of boat-building and community development. He joined as a trustee in 2013 and served as our Chair for ten years until February 2024. He has worked in local government and the NHS, and continues to be involved as a trustee in a variety of voluntary organisations. He was a local councillor for eight years and has contributed to the development of Scotland-wide alcohol and drugs strategy. What he most values are local communities that prevent social problems developing in the first place and being part of communities and networks committed to eradicating social and economic injustice.
Dr Elaine Cooper - Chair Expand Elaine became Chair of the Galgael Board in February 2024 after serving as a trustee for two years. She had long been an admirer and supporter of Galgael through work on policy and community engagement. She had previously worked as a print and radio journalist in London and Scotland. After the birth of her daughters she became a mature student at Strathclyde University where her focus was on researching health and education policies designed to address inequality, but which failed to support those most in need. She believes that Galgael offers hope in an increasingly polarised and self-destructive world.
Dr Jennifer McLean Expand Jennifer was born, raised and educated in the west coast of Scotland and joined the GalGael Board in 2022. Jennifer has held a number of local and national NHS roles and is currently Acting Deputy Director at the Glasgow Centre for Population Health where she contributes to centre management and governance alongside leading programmes of research around community-led approaches for health and wellbeing. Jennifer first got to know the work of GalGael during her early explorations of the work of community organisations, and was inspired by the work and approach taken by the team and the special GalGael environment. She brings experience in public health research, community-based responses to population health improvement, and the evaluation of complex interventions to the Board. Jennifer is also an honorary lecturer at the University of Glasgow.