Developing the Young Workforce North East has announced a series of appointments to its board, diversifying and strengthening the organisation’s reach across the region’s key sectors.
Eleanor Sheppard, Chief Education Officer at Aberdeen City Council; Gerry Lawrie, Head of Workforce and Development at NHS Grampian; and Morag Stark, General Manager at Malmaison, bring further knowledge and experience to the board, broadening its scope across the education, healthcare and hospitality sectors.
DYW North East provides the vital link between businesses and schools in the North-east. It helps build meaningful partnerships between employers and education to engage, inspire and develop the young workforce.
Chair Steve Petrie said: “Our board comprises a wide range of leaders from a variety of organisations including public and private sectors. The broad range of sectors and skills around the table will allow us to enable businesses to further enhance their relationships with our schools, colleges and universities and other partners to build a shared focus, enthusiasm and determination to work with our young people.
“All our board members have a passion for supporting the next generation and our economy and I am pleased to welcome Eleanor, Gerry and Morag to the team.”
Eleanor Sheppard has taught in North-east schools for many years and held a number of senior leadership positions both at school and local authority level. She was appointed chief education officer at the city council in late 2018 and works with schools and the central team to ensure a focus on improving outcomes for children and young people in Aberdeen City.
Gerry Lawrie has worked with the NHS for more than 25 years and is passionate about encouraging young people to consider a career in health care. She started in the NHS straight from school as an administrative trainee, before taking time out for education and a brief foray into the private sector. As head of workforce for NHS Grampian, she works closely with schools, colleges, universities to help identify and remove obstacles that can sometimes prevent young people from pursuing their interest in healthcare.
Morag Stark joined Malmaison Aberdeen as general manager in January 2018, having worked in the hospitality industry for almost 25 years in a variety of roles, including room division and operations. She is a RGIT graduate and completed Cornell University's GMs programme in 2014. As a member of the Aberdeen City and Shire Hotel Association, Morag sits on their executive committee and is chair of Grampian HIT Scotland committee. She is passionate about the development of young people into hospitality.
