Governing Council
The Governing Council works with the School's management team to develop the high quality all-round education associated with George Watson's College.
The Governing Council is assisted by three committees:
- The Education Committee considers the School's educational standards, results and future strategy and provides the School's Governing Council and management team with good quality debate on each of these issues.
- The Property Committee considers the demands on the School's 50 acre campus, including repairs and maintenance and the improvement of facilities to meet the requirements of parents, pupils, staff and regulatory agencies.
- The Finance Committee oversees the School's annual budget, financial planning and strategy to ensure that there are funds available to meet the needs of the School.
The Governors are actively involved in the life of the School, attending performances, shadowing staff and pupils, and taking part in some of the many extra-curricular and outdoor activities that take place throughout the school year.
Mr Alan Hartley,
Chairman of Governors
Alan Hartley has been Chairman of Governors since 2009 and is also a Trustee of the George Watson's Family Foundation. Alan served as a Governor of the School from 1999 to 2003, but resigned when he was approached to become Master of the Merchant Company. He is a chartered accountant and was a tax partner with KPMG for many years. He now holds a number of non-executive directorships and trustee positions and is delighted to return as Chairman of Governors once more. Alan was a Foundationer at Watson's and realises the importance of the Family Foundation. His financial background also means he will focus on maintaining the financial strength of the School and best practice governance.
Mr Graham Reid
Chair of Finance Committee
Graham Reid, a current Watson's parent, was co-opted by the Governing Council of George Watson's College. He Chairs the Finance Committee and a Trustee of the George Watson's Family Foundation. He seeks to help ensure that the finances of George Watson's College are tightly controlled; that fees and other income are expended to maximise the educational benefit for its pupils; and that sufficient financial resources are also applied to the enhancement of the campus. Graham is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and is Group Finance Director of CALA Group Limited.
Miss Elizabeth Smith
Chair of Education Committee
Liz considers it an enormous privilege to serve as a Governor at Watson's. She hopes to combine her experiences as a former pupil and former member of staff of the School with her current educational responsibilities as an MSP in order to support Watson's in delivering its proud tradition of excellence both inside and outside the classroom. Liz is Chairman of the Education Committee.
Mr Don Young
Chair of Property Committee
Don Young is a current parent at GWC and was co-opted to the Governing Council by the Merchant Company Education Board. He is a Trustee of the Merchant Company's Widow's Fund and a member of its Property Committee. Don Chairs the School Property Committee, and seeks to ensure the strategic aims of GWC are supported and challenged on both sound economic and property terms. Don is a Senior Director of BNP Paribas Real Estate, Europe's leading firm of commercial real estate advisors, where he serves on a number of their national executive committees.
Mr Stewart Clark
Stewart Clark rejoined the George Watson's College Governing Council and the Finance Committee in November 2011. He previously served as a Governor and Chairman of the Finance Committee for five years between 2004 and 2009 when he was also a member of the Merchant Company Education Board. He is currently an Assistant on the Master's Court of the Merchant Company and sits on the Merchant Company's Audit and Risk Committee. Stewart is a Chartered Accountant and retired partner of fund managers Baillie Gifford. He has a long association with the School as a former pupil (his father was a teacher) and parent of two former pupils. He would like to use his experience to support the School in prudently managing its finances in pursuit of its long term aims and objectives.
Mr Alisdair Dewar
Alisdair Dewar was co-opted to the Governing Council by The Merchant Company Education Board. He is a member of the Finance Committee and has 15 years of experience within the UK Banking sector. Currently he is an Associate Director of Adam & Company plc. Alisdair is keen to bring his considerable knowledge of finance to all relevant areas of the School's future projects, ensuring its continued success now and into the future.
Mrs Jane Hay
Jane Hay was co-opted by the Governing Council of George Watson's College. As a member of the Education Committee, Chairman of the Primary Liaison Group and as a parent, Jane is interested in the quality of education and in the range of wider opportunities available to pupils from P1 to S6. Her focus is on ensuring the best possible educational experience for her own children and therefore for all Watson's pupils. Jane is a senior solicitor with the Scottish Executive, and was recently Chief Executive of the Scottish Law Commission.
Mr Matthew MacIver
Matthew MacIver, recently retired as Chief Executive of the General Teaching Council Matthew has had extensive experience of Scottish Education including two Headships - Fortrose Academy in Highland Region and The Royal High School in Edinburgh. He is the Chair of the University of the Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute. He hopes he can use his knowledge to the benefit of George Watson's College, a school with which he has strong ties.
Mr Roddy Maclennan
Roddy Maclennan was co-opted to the Governing Council by the Merchant Company Education Board. Roddy is a Watsonian and a partner of Scottish law firm Tods Murray. He specialises in structured and property finance and is frequently involved in the formation, monitoring and review of policy and strategy. Roddy appreciates the benefits that an all round excellent education can provide and he hopes that his legal and commercial knowledge and experience will assist GWC to fulfil its objectives and aspirations.
Cllr Mark McInnes
A graduate of Politics and Modern History from Edinburgh University and formerly political agent to the Rt Hon Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP, Cllr Mark McInnes was appointed to the Council as a member of both the Merchant Company Education Board and the Edinburgh City Council. Mark is very active within the School's local community and is keen to promote Watson's reputation within that community, and to bridge between the school and Edinburgh City Council to ensure that Watson's specific needs are represented.
Mr Iain More
Iain More was co-opted by the Governing Council of George Watson’s College. He has worked in higher education, politics and fundraising in the UK, the US and France. After being Director of Development at the University of Edinburgh and INSEAD, in 1989 he founded Iain More Associates, a leading European fundraising consultancy. He now undertakes some consultancy work and is on the Board of the University of Oregon Foundation. Iain is interested in the work of the George Watson's College Family Foundation and advising the Development Office, as well as contributing to the governance of the School in its widest sense.
David Stewart
David Stewart is a member of the Governing Council nominated by the Church of Scotland Presbytery of Edinburgh and appointed by The Merchant Company Education Board. David is keen that all pupils should get the best out of their school years to prepare them to contribute fully to society. As a former civil servant, he would like to use his experience of governance and education policy to support and challenge the School's strategy and policy. David is a former pupil and a parent of present and former pupils. He is Chairman of the Senior Liaison Group.
Mrs Susanne Tanner
Susanne Tanner is a former pupil and a current parent at GWC and was pleased to be co-opted to the Governing Council by the Merchant Company Education Board. Susanne is an Advocate practising at the Scottish Bar and she also lectures law at both University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier University. She is a member of the Merchant Company Education, Liaison and Enterprise Committee and has taken a keen interest in developing the annual Prize for Initiative competition and attending business events at the Merchant Company schools. Susanne has joined the Education Committee of the Governing Council as she is keen to enhance and promote this aspect of school life at Watson’s.