Lathallan School Governance
Gavin Calder – Chair
Gavin Calder has been a valued member of the Board for several years and was appointed as Chair in June 2026. Gavin brings an extraordinary wealth of educational leadership. A former teacher of History and Modern Studies, his career includes five years as Deputy Head at Robert Gordon’s College, three years as Deputy Head and Boarding Houseparent at Loretto, four years as Head of the Junior School at Lomond, and thirteen years as Headmaster of the Edinburgh Academy. Since 2024, he has served as Chief Executive of the Harmeny Education Trust, a specialist residential and school-term facility supporting young people who have experienced significant early-years trauma. Gavin also sits on the Board of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS).
Jeanette Forbes OBE
Jeanette Forbes OBE is a qualified systems engineer who established her company PCL Group in 2000, following the downturn in the Oil & Gas industry. Over the last 20 years she has enjoyed outstanding success in her field, claiming over 20 awards and accolades and being an influential board member within a number of national organisations, including the Scottish Government. In 2015, she was named Business Women Scotland’s Inspirational Women of the Year. She was given The Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2017 and was named CEO of the Year, Scotland Women in Technology Awards later that year. A former Elevator Awards Entrepreneur of the Year and 2019 Business Woman of the Year, The Scottish SME Business Award. Her achievements were recognised by The Queen in 2019 as she was awarded an OBE. In 2020, she was given the Significant Contribution at The Offshore Achievement Awards and is an invaluable addition to to the Lathallan School Board.
Dr Lynne Taylor
Lynne is a Senior Consultant Clinical Psychologist with an extensive background in strategic healthcare leadership, transformation, and governance. She is currently part of the Chief Executive Team at NHS Tayside, where she provides leadership and oversight of Mental Health and Learning Disability services, directing operational delivery across inpatient, specialist, and community settings. Before her current role, Lynne spent over five years advising the Scottish Government on mental health policy and delivery. She has also served as a Clinical Director of CAMHS, designed innovative digital mental health pathways for NHS24, and chaired senior national, multi-agency groups spanning health, justice, neurodiversity, and civil contingencies. Outside of her professional life, she is a proud mum of four children and has a beloved therapet dog.
Rev Marylee Anderson
Marylee is Chaplain to the University of Aberdeen. A local to Aberdeen and with a passion for helping vulnerable people, Marylee studied Psychology at the University of Aberdeen. Having volunteered with young people from a young age she worked for several years as a Social Care Officer with Aberdeenshire Council working alongside vulnerable young people homed within the care system. With a strong desire to further her career Marylee undertook a degree in Theology and Counselling in London. Returning to Aberdeen she took a position with her alma mater within the University of Aberdeen Multi-faith Chaplaincy. Being a mother of 3 and working within a university environment has developed a strong sense of the importance that education plays in the lives of young people and has given her a deep appreciation for the strong foundations achieved within primary and secondary education for future learning academics and wellbeing.
Gary Leslie
Gary Leslie has had a successful career within the Hotel and Catering Business and more recently within the Oil Service Industry. He purchased his first hotel venture in 1985 in Shetland. In 1992 he returned to Aberdeen to further his business interests and in 1994 bought and personally operated The Queen’s Hotel, Aberdeen which was sold in 2006 to The Malmaison Group. He was an active participant in hotel, catering and licensed trade training and development organisations. A change of path took him to the Oil Service Industry where he became Managing Director for Saltire Energy before becoming a Director and Shareholder of another service company. Educated at Mackie Academy in Stonehaven and very familiar with the Johnshaven and Lathallan area.
Derek Cowie
Derek Cowie has been deeply involved with Lathallan for many years, both as the previous Chairman and as a proud parent whose two sons attended Lathallan. Having retired from a highly successful career in the North Sea oil industry, he has given a tremendous amount of his time, expertise and wisdom to our community.
