Celine Sinclair - Chief Executive, The Yard (Class of 1986)

How do you remember your time at George Watson’s College?

School was such a happy time for me. I loved the social side of it - the sense of belonging, the pride in being part of a cohesive and supportive community. As Deputy Head Girl, I always understood what a privilege it was to be there, and how many opportunities it opened up for me and my friends.

Despite being a large school, Watson’s had a warm and welcoming culture. It showed me that success stems from investing in people, culture, and community. There was a genuine belief in the value of the individual, and everyone’s contributions were recognised and celebrated.

Beyond the academic side, Watson’s offered something for everyone, whether it was music, sport, or computing clubs. I found my spark in music. At 13, I began learning the orchestral double bass, which opened up a whole new world. I played in youth orchestras, toured Germany, and even performed in the Olympic Stadium one year. I continued playing into adulthood, which brought not just joy and creativity, but also lasting friendships and memorable experiences.

Looking back, I realise how much of life’s joy comes from the passions we discover early on. Watson’s helped nurture mine.

How did your time here shape your career path? 

At Watson’s, I never felt railroaded into one profession or sector. Instead, I was encouraged to explore what made me tick and to discover what I genuinely wanted to do. In my final year, I was supported to take a gap year teaching English in Pakistan, having always dreamt of travelling the Old Silk Route. With the school’s support, I embarked on that journey and began to understand how vast and diverse the world is, far beyond Scotland and Europe.

I had always loved languages and was fortunate to study French, Spanish, and Italian. Through language exchanges, I lived and studied in both Spain and France, which laid the foundation for a degree in languages and several years living in Mexico City. That experience led me to the BBC World Service, where I was lucky enough to work at the truly international Bush House—sharing a workspace with colleagues from all over the world.

From a young age, I knew I wanted a career that would allow me to follow my own path while making a real social impact. Leading The Yard has given me exactly that.

And how did your time here build softer skills and resilience? 

Being part of such a large school community taught me how to navigate the diversity of people we encounter in life. I learned that while we may not always share the same values, true happiness and wellbeing come from staying true to our own beliefs while treating others with kindness and respect.

The Yard has been built on values of kindness, understanding, and deep respect for others. So much of what I believe today stems from being educated in an environment that championed equality and believed that, with the right support, everyone can thrive.

Tell us about The Yard and, particularly, its work in Edinburgh

Since 1986, The Yard has been a lifeline for families, supporting around 3,000 children and young people with disabilities and additional needs - and just as importantly, their families - through our centres in Dundee, Kirkcaldy, and Edinburgh. We offer creative, inclusive play in safe, welcoming spaces where children can be themselves and where families feel understood and supported.

Like many charity leaders, my journey with The Yard is deeply personal. My son had just been diagnosed with autism at the age of five, and I was desperately searching for a place where he could belong. At the time, The Yard was a small, struggling community project in Edinburgh, offering a handful of play sessions in a rundown space. It was on the verge of closing.

After joining the board, I saw a pattern of financial instability that had plagued the charity for over a decade. While I was planning a career in the civil service, I instead came on board as Chief Executive. I suppose I saw the potential and couldn’t walk away. I wrote a plan and thought, “What could possibly go wrong?”

Fast forward to today, and The Yard Edinburgh, our flagship centre, is a vibrant, joyful hub for young explorers. Children zoom around on go-karts, dig in the sandpit, splash in the water play area, and sway in the sensory swing. There’s a magical solar dome for outdoor play, an art room filled with creativity, soft play areas, and a sensory room designed for calm and comfort. Every corner of The Yard is designed with the child in mind and my skilled colleagues are there to support children on their own play journeys. It’s about choice, confidence, friendship and, most of all, fun.

But our support goes beyond the children. We’re here for the whole family, creating space for siblings, parents, grandparents and carers to connect, signpost services across the city, and to help build resilience within our community.

Our vision is a fully inclusive Scotland where disabled children and their families can thrive. We walk alongside families when they need us most, and that has a remarkable ripple effect. From developing social skills and confidence to boosting creativity and critical thinking, the benefits of play at The Yard ripple through every part of a child’s life.

We also work with both special and mainstream schools, offering weekly sessions that take learning beyond the classroom. And, more recently, we’re helping shape the future of support in Edinburgh through our role in the new Edinburgh Disability and Neurodiversity (EDAN) Hub, a groundbreaking ‘one-stop shop’ for families navigating additional needs.

Thinking back to where we started with 50 children, three part-time staff, and a £100K turnover, we’ve come a long way!  Today, we’re reaching more than 3,700 children, with a turnover of £3.4 million. We’re currently renovating The Yard Dundee and opening a new centre in June this year, The Yard Glasgow.

What are the main challenges facing your sector?         

For a charity, growth is not about profit – it’s about meeting a societal need. Since early 2023, our membership has grown by 60%. Our school service and youth groups are at capacity with waiting lists. Families desperately need more support, so our strategic response is to grow income and reach with our values-based services.

A fundamental challenge charities face is the lack of upfront investment. How do we grow the infrastructure we need without capital? When we began rebuilding The Yard, 93% of our income came from charitable trusts and foundations. All our eggs were in one basket, and it was our biggest risk. My first step was diversifying income to create stability and enable growth.

As Chief Executive, I’m responsible for everything any business leader must manage - finance, governance, HR – on top of business development. We have had to adapt continually to survive economic challenges, not forgetting a pandemic, and over time, have moved from our heavy reliance on fundraising to a more diverse income model.

While it is hugely rewarding, leading a charity is not for the faint-hearted. In my case, it demands knowledge of everything from supporting children with complex needs to sustainability and financial planning. The risks and responsibilities can be intense. If The Yard were to flounder, over 60 people would lose their jobs, and thousands of families would lose a service they call home. 

What would you say to pupils considering a career in the third sector? 

It’s been a genuine privilege to combine a career in business with making a real difference to people's lives. One of the things I love most about working in the third sector is the autonomy. You can act quickly, respond to need and drive meaningful change. 

Also, no two days are ever the same. In any given week, I might be meeting with government ministers, attending an awards ceremony or deep in strategic planning to respond to the evolving needs of our families.

Leading a successful and growing Scottish charity for nearly two decades has felt a bit like a toboggan ride - fast, thrilling, with its fair share of sharp turns and steep drops. But, if you’re up for a challenge, a career in the charity sector can be one of the most rewarding choices you can make. 

Celine Sinclair is Chief Executive of The Yard. She has also recently been appointed by The Hunter Foundation as one of Scotland’s six Changemakers. Celine was also the overall winner of the 2024 Business Women Scotland 100 Female Entrepreneur’s award and Director of the Year for the Institute of Directors in 2018