Meet Our Team

Raymond has worked at PKAVS since 2009 when he first started out as a part time support worker in the young carers team tasked with setting up a Duke of Edinburgh award group for young carers. He has had various roles in the carers service since then including a full time support worker and the service coordinator before becoming PKAVS carers centre manager in 2015.  

Alongside his work at PKAVS Raymond is a strong advocate for unpaid carers at a national level too. Currently he Chairs the Scotland Carer Centre managers network, sits on the Coalition of Carers Executive Board and also on the Shared Care Scotland Creative Breaks funding panel. Through being the Chair of the managers network he also gets invited along by the Scottish Government Carers Policy Unit to a number of working groups and  events to make sure carers and carer centre voices are being heard.       

Andrea works as an HR Manager, and she plays a key role in implementing the PKAVS People Strategy. She is dedicated to building a strong, supportive work environment that enables PKAVS individuals and teams to reach their full potential. Her approach is rooted in a deep understanding of people and a commitment to fostering an inclusive culture that drives both employee satisfaction and organisational success.

Andrea lives in Perth, and she is a busy mom of two young kids. In her free time, she enjoys running and hopes to return to her passion for Munro bagging in the near future.

Sarah is one of  Managers within the Walled Garden and Wisecraft – predominantly based at The Walled Garden although oversees the service as whole. Sarah has  worked with the service since 2016, although her involvement dates back to 2012 when she was on a student social work placement. Alongside Laura, Sarah’s main role is to manage the service’s overall budget and raising of income; representing our charity at meetings and events, and managing relationships with partners, funding bodies, all staff, volunteers and clients. The diversity of Sarah’s role and job satisfaction drives her to continue her career in the charitable sector. Sarah loves working with colleagues from a variety of backgrounds, and in an environment where everyone is valued; everyone is an expert.

Sarah graduated in 2012 from Abertay University with a BSc Hons in Forensics Psychobiology. She then graduated in 2014 from Dundee University with MSc in Social Work. Sarah is also a qualified Social Work Practice Educator who works independently supporting students within PKAVS.

Laura is one of the Managers within the Walled Garden and Wisecraft – predominantly based at Wisecraft although oversees the service as whole.  Laura has worked within the service since 2010 starting out as an ‘Active Lifestyles Group Worker’. Laura’s senior management role focusses mainly on strategic developments, but for her the highlight is working directly everyday with the clients, volunteers and staff. Laura loves to be around others and taking part in the different and fun ways we work to improve wellness. Alongside Sarah, Laura is proud to lead their multi-disciplinary team; striving to make a real difference to people’s lives. 

Laura graduated in 2009 from Abertay University with a BSc Hons in Food Nutrition and Health. She  is also a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist who also works within a university student services and has a private practice.

Mel is the Chief Officer for TSI. She leads on our Voice pillar as well as managing the team and making sure everyone is well supported as they work towards the organisation’s objectives. 

Having started out as a police officer before moving into charity work, Mel has a deep understanding of public and third-sector needs and a passion for connecting with and supporting communities. 

In her own time, she’s a fitness fanatic and movie fan. She also loves chocolate!

Archie is a retired Civil Servant, previously working at the DSS and Pension Agency mainly in personnel, welfare and industrial relations. He was also a local Councillor for 14 years and chaired the Perth & Kinross Fairness Commission and the Community Justice Partnership. Archie also spent 6 years as Vice-Convener of the Tayside Police Board and spent 10 years as Equalities Convener for Perth & Kinross Council. This all led to Archie wanting to continue his public service on retirement and he became a member of the PKAVS Board in September 2017.

Bill has now retired after 40 years of service as a social worker and in the last 30 years; he held middle and senior management positions and has more recently been involved in Director level positions in integrated services including Education, Health and Housing. For the past 10 years, Bill has worked with in Perth & Kinross and has grown to know, respect and value the work of PKAVS in supporting vulnerable people in Perth & Kinross. This has led to Bill joining the PKAVS Board in September 2017. In addition to his PKAVS work , Bill is also Convenor of the Adult Protection Committee and Chair of the Child Protection Committee in Perth and Kinross; member of the SSSC Fitness to Practice Panel ;and sits on the Steering Group of CORRA Foundation which supports children affected by substance misuse.

Robert is a Partner with Kippen Campbell, solicitors, and principally deals with property law.  He was previously employed by Elliot & Company, WS, who have been the company secretary of PKAVS since 2002.  Robert deals with the day to day company secretarial work and assists PKAVS with its Governance and Compliance issues, to ensure the charity and its subsidiary companies comply with the companies acts and with OSCR reporting regulations, amongst other things.  He is also a director and the company secretary of the two subsidiary trading companies.  Robert joined the Board in 2005, left after a full term of service in 2014, before being invited to rejoin in 2015.  Robert is also heavily involved in community activity as a member and past President of the Rotary Club of Perth St Johns and a former Director and Trustee of Heartland FM.

Ruth has worked in public sector communications and engagement for over 20 years, including in local government, education and health. She worked in Perth and Kinross for nine years and is currently Head of Communications and Engagement for NHS Highland. Ruth is particularly interested in community empowerment and working with remote and rural communities. 

A member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and an Accredited Practitioner, Ruth is also a former member of the CIPR Scotland Committee. She is a Foundation member of the University of the Highlands and Islands and has published policy papers for the Local Government Information Unit, as well as a chapter on community co-production for a book produced by the CIPR.  She lives in the Highlands with her husband, daughter and dog.

Originally from Dunkeld and now living in Perth, Sarah Brown is a practising Solicitor accredited by The Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in Charity Law and is currently a Partner at J & H Mitchell WS. Sarah is also a charity trustee at Growbiz Scotland, The Pettigrew Charitable Trust and a Council Member of The Society of Writers to His Majesty’s Signet (known as the WS Society) one of the oldest incorporated bodies in Scotland for public benefit.

Sarah is passionate about empowering equality of opportunity and continuing to improve community wellbeing in Perth & Kinross. As a specialist in Charity Law Sarah is regularly asked to deliver training to charities throughout Scotland, speak at events, and deliver governance training sessions and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the PKAVS Board.

Caroline is a passionate, driven leader with a broad range of capability and experience which has delivered impact across commercial, charitable and social enterprise organisations. Her engaging leadership style combines energy and vision with strong people management and organisational qualities inspiring and motivating others to deliver complex projects and exceptional results.

Outside of work Caroline loves to travel, cook, and spends time socialising with family and friends and Bailey the Bolognese dog!

Senior NHS Manager for 35 years. Hospital Manager, Training and Development Manager , Project Manager. Trust Board Secretary, Business Manager. HR Manager. Retirement 20 years ago . Councillor for 42 years from 1980 to 2022. District Council for 20 years. Unitary Council 22 years. 3 occasions Depute Provost. Convener General Purposes Committee, Planning Committee, vice Convener Policy and Resources Committee and Education Committee. COSLA Representative for many years. Membership of University of Dundee Court for 12 years. Audit Committee membership of COSLA , University of Dundee and Perth and Kinross Council. Group Leader Scottish Liberal Democrat Group Perth and Kinross Council. Liberal Democrat positions at local regional and National level in Scotland and UK . Currently President of Scottish Liberal Democrat’s. Married two grown up sons.