The Scotland Workforce Professional Development Board (Scotland WPDB) has been established to ensure the successful delivery of workforce policy within Scotland, and to identify and advise the UK WPDB and other relevant workforce committees/groups of considerations which are specific to Scotland.
The Scotland WPDB consists of a diverse range of members from senior leadership positions across the sector, who between them bring a broad range of specialist knowledge, skills and experience.
The Board's role
The role of the Scotland WPDB is to:
- review the work of the UK WPDB and interpret it for delivery in Scotland
- ensure the Workforce Professional Development Committee and Specialist Expert Group’s industry policies are cognisant of Scottish requirements
- engage, lead and influence Scottish stakeholders, such as the Scottish Qualifications Authority, to align with the defined sector skills strategy
- ensure all education products are aligned with the appropriate UK Professional Standards such as apprenticeship frameworks
- ensure Professional Standards are embedded where appropriate within the Scottish skills system.
Board members
Elaine McNish (Chair)
Move Consulting Limited
Elaine is Director of Move Consulting Ltd, a company that helps the move towards an active nation by helping organisations to develop better connected systems and services that enable people to move more often in ways that work for them.
Elaine has worked in the health, sport and fitness field for almost 40 years in a variety of organisations, including local government, public health, governing bodies of sport, national government and the charity sector. Elaine’s work has included the development of the Welsh National Exercise Referral Scheme, and leading the development of a whole pool approach to supporting people with health conditions into the water (Water Wellbeing). More recently Elaine’s work has had a strong focus on the development of physical activity pathways, connecting health and physical activity sectors.
Focus: Working in partnership with the sector to ensure that we have a skilled and confident workforce that can support the development of a more active nation.
Kevin Watson (Vice Chair)
Professor Susan Brown
Edinburgh Napier University
As University Head of Sport Engagement and Professor of Applied Sport Science and Practice Innovation, Susan’s role is to utilise the power of sport with impact, for the university’s staff and students and the communities of Scotland.
Focus: Supporting the connectivity between industry, workforce development and higher education in Scotland.
Dr Mia Burleigh CSci, FHEA
University of the West of Scotland
Dr Mia Burleigh is a Reader in Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of the West of Scotland. Her background is in sport and exercise science education, applied research and professional practice, with experience in developing industry-aligned education and strengthening links between higher education, healthcare and the sport and physical activity sector.
Focus: Strengthening connections between higher education, professional standards and workforce needs, supporting accessible, high-quality education and training pathways that equip Scotland’s workforce to meet the evolving demands of the physical activity and health sectors.
Fraser Calderwood
Leisure and Culture Dundee (Active Dundee)
Fraser is a senior leader with more than 20 years’ experience across the sport, leisure, culture, charitable and commercial sectors, including over 13 years at senior leadership and board level. In his current role as Operational Lead for Aquatics at Leisure and Culture Dundee, he leads strategic planning, operational performance, service transformation, governance and partnership development across Dundee’s aquatic facilities, while contributing to national sector initiatives through organisations such as CIMSPA.
Focus: Acting as a voice for sport and leisure employers across the sector in Scotland to ensure people are inspired to work in leisure, health and wellbeing.
Jordan Dawson
Scottish Student Sport
Jordan’s is the Head of Development at Scottish Student Sport, focusing on areas of student sport such as workforce development, all things belonging, member and partner relationships and exploring research, data and influencing. With a background which is a blend of student development, student services and sport, it is a role which plays well with his experiences and interests. Student sport is a great place to work, due to the growth in opportunities for students to develop the key skills and attributes which the sector needs.
Focus: Acting as a voice for student sport across the non-academic landscape and ensuring that students can see the lifelong and varied careers they can have in sport.
Flora Jackson
Marc McJimpsey
West College Scotland
Marc is a Lecturer in Sports Coaching and Development at West College Scotland with over 10 years’ experience in further education delivering qualifications and supporting the development of future sport and physical activity professionals. Alongside his lecturing role, he is a tutor with UK Coaching, delivering professional development and education to coaches across the sector.
Focus: Strengthening links between education and industry, promoting accessible professional development opportunities and supporting the growth of a skilled, confident and adaptable sport and physical activity workforce across Scotland.
Nichola Mclachlan
David McLean MCIMSPA
Emma Notman
Ciaran O’Brien MCIMSPA
Abby O’Rourke
Steve Russell FCIMSPA
Aberdeenshire Council
Steve is an operational manager committed to improving services to communities. Having done this at a local and strategic level over many years, he is adept at balancing resources, community demands and strategic priorities.
Focus: Supporting members’ work in delivering the strategic vision of sport, health and wellbeing in Scotland, while meeting the needs of the wider community.
Alison Shaw
Scottish Disability Sport
Alison’s current role is as an Education and Learning Manager, with a focus on developing inclusive deliverers across sport, health and education.
Focus: Ensuring that education products, and access to education and employment are inclusive for disabled participants and workforce members.
Nikki Stewart
Scott Urquhart
Fiona Wernham
sportscotland
Fiona Wernham is Head of Schools and Education at sportscotland, providing strategic leadership for sport and physical activity in collaboration with Scotland’s local authorities, leisure trusts and wider partners. She works with national and local partners to strengthen opportunities for children and young people to participate, develop and progress through sport. Fiona has extensive experience across sports development, coaching, leadership and partnership working, and is passionate about the role of education and sport in supporting young people’s health, wellbeing, confidence and lifelong participation.
Focus: supporting the sector to further strengthen the sport and physical activity workforce, helping to ensure people have access to high quality opportunities, experiences and development pathways that support our ambitions of more people participating, progressing and achieving in sport.
