Announcing the appointment of two new Directors to our Board

9 September 2020

Children in Scotland is delighted to announce the appointment of two new Directors to its Board.

Rohan Gunatillake and Ben Supple have joined our Board, effective from the end of August, bringing Children in Scotland’s trustees to a total of 12 including nine women and three men.

The Board includes two young members – Liam Slaven and Jennie Gollan - appointed in August 2019 as part of our strategic plan to ensue that the voices and experiences of children and young people are represented at all levels of our organisation.

On his appointment as Trustee, Rohan Gunatillake said: “I’m very pleased to join the Board of Children in Scotland. I’m looking forward to supporting the charity in its important work based on my digital and wider strategy and governance experience.

“The organisation has already shown its flexibility during the COVID-19 environment by for example switching to online events and I look forward to helping the team build its digital maturity further to even better serve children and young people in Scotland.

“This appointment is my first trustee position in Scotland and I’m delighted to join such an ambitious and values-led team.”

Rohan is head of product at a team within NHS Scotland building national health and care data infrastructure. He has more than 15 years’ experience in a range of technology and innovation roles in public, private and non-profit sectors.

Previous roles include innovation lead for the Edinburgh Festivals, social innovation for Nesta and public sector business change for Accenture. Rohan has deep expertise in the intersection of wellbeing, technology and design and is well known as the creator of buddhify, the best-selling mindfulness app and for hosting the popular podcast, Meditative Story.

Joining Rohan on the Board, Ben Supple, Director of Engagement with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said: "I am very pleased to be joining Children in Scotland at such a vital time. It is more important than ever to support children, young people and families in Scotland, particularly those who have been impacted by COVID-19.

"Children in Scotland does outstanding work helping to ensure more children and young people have equal opportunities to flourish and reach their potential and I look forward to playing my part."

As Director of Engagement at RZSS, Ben has responsibility for the wildlife conservation charity’s public-facing activities, including business operations and the visitor experience at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park.

Having started his career as a journalist with DC Thomson, Ben has spent most of his career in the voluntary sector, including more than a decade with the Scottish SPCA. He has also worked with the Scottish Ambulance Service and served as a charity trustee with Keep Scotland Beautiful and on the Diabetes Scotland Advisory Board.

The Board is responsible for our overall governance and strategic direction and accepts ultimate responsibility for the sound professional, legal and financial management of Children in Scotland as a charity. Trustees also approve our vision and values, set overall strategy, oversee implementation and monitor our progress to plans.