Our People
Staff team
Contact Claire: claire.fergusson@stjohnscotland.org.uk
Contact Gordon: gordon.swan@stjohnscotland.org.uk
Contact Lisa: lisa.dove@stjohnscotland.org.uk
Our Board
Simon retired in 2021 after 40 years of practice as a solicitor, specialising in charity law and succession planning.
After serving on the Scottish Government’s Charity Law Review Commission in 2000-2001, Simon’s involvement in charity law deepened as charity law in Scotland developed. Among other roles, he served on the executive of the Charity Law Association, chaired the Court of Directors of The Edinburgh Academy and the Scottish Episcopal Church Pension Fund, and was chairman of his firm Turcan Connell from 2015 to 2019.
He became Chancellor of the Order in Scotland in 2021 and became Prior and Chair of St John Scotland in June 2024.
Lynn relocated to Edinburgh from Aberdeen and after successfully helping start up “Make a Wish Foundation” in Scotland she found herself with some spare time and showed an interest in St John Scotland, what they stood for, and their vision of “ helping to save lives”.
While chairing the Edinburgh Area she created a framework where defibrillators would be fitted in and around the city then taking this out nationally within St John Scotland. Within the framework, we also offered free Bystanders CPR to anyone wishing to learn this life-saving skill.
Lynn was interested in the ceremonial work conducted within the Priory, Lynn was appointed Scotland’s first Sword-bearer, however, not only in Scotland but within the International family of St John worldwide.
In 2023 Lynn was recognised for all her charitable work and service to National Communities and was invested with an OBE by King Charles III.
Lynn is on the board of trustees and in 2024 the Prior appointed her to be his Vice-Chair, the first lady Chancellor in Scotland.
Michael, a Chartered Accountant, joined St John on being appointed as the first CEO of the St John Eye Hospital, Jerusalem in 2000. Prior to that he had been CEO for fifteen years in the NHS, academia and the charity sector. The Second Intifada broke out in September of that year but the hospital managed to continue its work in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza despite the hostilities. It also instituted a major building and refurbishment programme.
On retiring he became the Chair of St John Scotland's Dumfries and Galloway committee, and was appointed to the Board of St John Scotland in 2017. Michael was recently appointed as The Receiver General and chairs the Finance and General Purposes Committee.
Rev Neil Gardner MA BD was born and brought up in East Lothian and is a graduate of the Universities of St Andrews and Edinburgh. He served in the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department from 1991-1998 then became minister of Alyth in Perthshire before being inducted to Canongate Kirk, the Kirk of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle, in 2006. St John’s House is also in his parish and he has been associated with the Order of St John for a number of years before being appointed Dean, and joining the Board of St John Scotland, in 2021.
Robert is a consultant ophthalmic surgeon working in Edinburgh. He grew up in Callander at the edge of the Trossachs, and studied at Oxford University and the University of London, qualifying as a doctor in 2010. He completed ophthalmic specialist training in Edinburgh, with fellowships at Cambridge and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London.
Robert has travelled to the St John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem, and joined clinics in the West Bank. He is actively engaged in medical education, and participates in conferences and educational programmes with the doctors of the St John Eye Hospital Group. He joined the Board in 2023 as Hospitaller.
Ian is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development with a passion for positively helping people. This background and his interest in history is what drew Ian to St John Scotland over 20 years ago. Over his time as a volunteer in many roles, including area secretary, fundraising chair and area chair, he now serves at a national level as a Board member of St John Scotland supporting the life saving work of the charity. He was appointed Director of Ceremonies for the Order in 2022.
Andrew has a professional background in the world of data and analytics and is passionate about the positive impacts that people can make with data given access to the right skills and support. Having spent 10 years as a St John Scotland volunteer in Edinburgh, he has been involved with the development of many of the area’s services. Andrew was invited to join the Board of St John Scotland in 2021 to bring his expertise and experience to the organisation at a national level, and in addition, Andrew currently holds the position of Assistant Director of Ceremonies.
Jess has over 30 years experience in education, at both secondary and tertiary level. A graduate of the University of Glasgow, she completed her postgraduate teaching qualification in Edinburgh. She taught Modern Languages in Ayrshire and was then Principal Teacher of Guidance. Jess later moved to the University of Strathclyde as Development Manager where she was involved in research, policy development and postgraduate teacher training.
A committee member of St John Scotland Ayrshire and Arran since 2013, Jess was appointed Area Chair in 2021. She was a member of the St John Scotland Strategy Working Group before joining the Board in 2021.
Roddy Neilson was born in Glasgow and attended Glasgow University graduating in medicine and training in haematology becoming a Consultant Haematologist at Forth Valley Royal Hospital. He was an army reservist and was the Commanding Officer of 205 (Scottish) Field Hospital. He served as an honorary physician to the Queen between 2019 and 2022.
Roddy has served as committee member and secretary of the Glasgow Area of St John and joined the Board in 2023 to provide medical support to its work in CPR and defibrillator provision.
