Michael is CEO at Circular Communities Scotland, a network membership organisation, dedicated to supporting the establishment of a thriving circular economy in Scotland. Circular Communities Scotland supports and represents over 250 repair, reuse and recycling charities and social enterprises who help promote and create social and environmental justice in their communities across Scotland.  In September 2024 Michael returned from an eight month career break to lead the organisation again.

Michael started his career in consulting and finance with PricewaterhouseCoopers before moving to Prudential in IT Audit and then Head of Change Management. Over the last 15 years Michael has worked in hands-on leadership positions in the charitable sector, joining Circular Communities Scotland (then CRNS) as CEO in 2018.  Michael is passionate about seeing others develop to achieve their potential and is highly motivated to deliver positive change in purpose-driven organisations. In his spare time, Michael is a keen member of his local Mountain Rescue team and a keen wildlife photographer.

As the Executive Assistant I support our CEO to deliver our strategic plan by taking some of the daily ‘chores’ off his hands! Additionally, I provide administrative support to the wider team, which is a great way to learn more about the brilliant members of Circular Communities Scotland and the projects they are involved with, such as the Share and Repair Network and the Consortium. I feel inspired by the incredible work that our members do to make Scotland a more sustainable, inclusive, and creative place to live.

My role as part-time coordinator role with Circular Communities Scotland reflects my growing understanding and concerns around climate change, over consumption and waste. I have a varied role in the organisation using my Project Management skills to take forward aspects of Circular Communities Scotland’s Strategic Plan and focus on coordinating short-term projects. I’m delighted to be working in a team with strong shared values, supporting one another towards our strong common purpose of social and environmental justice.

I lead our Member Services Team, driving forward our membership offer and ensuring our vibrant network of members get maximum value and support. I oversee the work of our Events Officer, our Communications & Campaigns Officer and our Share and Repair Coordinator.

With a deep-rooted connection to the organisation dating back to its founding as Community Recycling Network Scotland in 2004, I officially joined the staff team in 2011. I bring a strong academic foundation with a BSc in Environmental Science, a science teaching qualification, and current chartered membership of CIWM (the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management).

I joined Circular Communities Scotland in 2014 as Events Officer, and my role centres around managing a portfolio of in person and digital events which includes our annual conference, awards dinners, seminars, forums and ad hoc meetings. I love networking and collaborating with a diverse range of people and organisations. I use this passion to build new connections and forge strong relations with Circular Communities Scotland members, stakeholders and sponsors.
My responsibilities involve the planning, marketing, execution and evaluation of events as well as sourcing sponsorship and managing the event budgets. On a personal level I am a stickler for ‘detail’ and a born organiser, which I hope is reflected in the events I deliver.  Prior to joining Circular Communities Scotland, I have worked in the public sector in business development and as a Development Officer with Scotland’s professional body for counselling and psychotherapy.

As Communications and Campaigns Officer, I manage our marketing strategy and oversee all campaigns and communications for Circular Communities Scotland and our ongoing projects. I also work to support our members through marketing support and events, and share their stories to promote a more circular economy in Scotland. I enjoy creating our campaigns, which aim to change the narrative around consumption at a national level, and sharing the fantastic environmental and social benefits that a circular economic model can provide us.

My role is to support new and existing members of the growing Share and Repair Network across Scotland. I co-ordinate activities including networking meetings, training opportunities, sharing of digital resources and our annual gathering alongside one-to-one support for new projects. I love hearing about the different projects and the positive impacts they are making in their communities.

I lead our Reuse Consortium business development work, oversee the delivery of our Esmée Fairbairn Foundation grant including leading on our organisational Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity (DEI) work, and line manage our Local Authority Partnerships Development Officer and Reuse Consortium Officer.
As part of the Management Team at Circular Communities Scotland, I am also involved in strategic planning and organisational development work.

I am the Reuse Consortium Officer at Circular Communities Scotland. My role is to oversee the Reuse Consortium’s day-to-day operations. I have worked in sustainability-focused third sector organisations since completing my MSc in Environmental Sustainability. I enjoy working with our Consortium members and buyers to help make second-hand procurement a reality.

My role is all about supporting our members to work in partnership with Local Authorities to maximise reuse across Scotland. There are so many ways this might look, and different approaches will work better in some areas than others. I’m here to explore what might work best for each individual setting and apply the learning from the many partnerships that exist across the country.

I love getting out and about meeting colleagues working in reuse and seeing the exceptional work our members do. I have learnt so much in this role and enjoy the huge variety in our membership – and relish the opportunity to bring together stakeholders, understand different perspectives and begin building new, meaningful partnerships.

Outwith work I am completing a Master’s in Public Health and I spend as much time as possible being active and outdoors.

David McQuatt is an accomplished and highly experienced manager and has been working extensively in Third Sector management since 2003 in finance, compliance, and ethical governance across retail and social enterprise within a variety of positions including Finance and Compliance Manager, Trustee, Treasurer and Company Secretary roles for charities such as Artlink Central Ltd in Stirling and Justice and Arts Scotland in Glasgow.

He is passionate about using financial management not only as a tool for accountability but also as a way of building trust, supporting staff wellbeing, and enabling communities to thrive and is committed to social justice and sustainability.

He is an enthusiastic believer in lifelong learning, and recently completed a PgCert in Arts Management, Fundraising, Finance and Development at Queen Margaret University Edinburgh after completing his BA (Hons) in Drawing & Painting at Edinburgh College of Art. Outside of work, he enjoys spending as much time as possible in nature combining photography, walking and cycling to maintain a connection to creativity, community, and the outdoors, and endeavours to bring that same energy and curiosity into his professional life.

Naomi Johnson has been working as an independent freelancer in Scotland since September 2016. Naomi is client focused and has over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector. Previous roles include leading the Scottish Charity Firstport (2007-2011) and also working for CRN UK (1999-2007). Naomi holds an MBA from the Cranfield Trust. Naomi has previously served on the Board of Social Enterprise Scotland and has previously served as a non-exec board member at Dumfries and Galloway College.

Ian Matheson is the Head of Operations for Blythswood Care.  Ian has overall management of Blythswood Care’s 24 Scottish reuse shops and 2 hub depots, processing goods for reuse and recycling sale. Leading 98 staff and 100’s of volunteers in this work, it provides funding towards Blythswood Care’s projects in Scotland and abroad e.g. food bank centres, supported training, life-skills for ex orphanage boys, education and community programmes etc.

Effective resource management is at the core of Blythswood Trading’s operations with 2100 tonnes reused or recycled each year in Scotland. Ian has led Blythswood’s work with/support for over 30 like-minded community organisations in Scotland. Ian is a founding member of the Zero Waste Scotland Revolve Users Group.

Prior to joining Blythswood, Ian spent over 18 years in the IT sector, implementing and project managing IT systems for clients in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Ian is a trustee of The Elsie Normington Foundation and a trustee of the Blythswood Romania charity.

David manages the Social Enterprise Academy’s activities in the North of Scotland and leads on rural programmes for Social Enterprise Academy International. He has account managed learning programmes on 28 different Scottish islands and scores of remote mainland communities, including in Gaelic medium programmes. Internationally David has account managed programmes in 12 countries on four continents. He works closely with Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Scottish Government and British Council.

Before joining Social enterprise Academy, David was Development Officer for CRNS from 2004-2008, covering the North of Scotland. The social and environmental outcomes of the sector are what drives David, avoiding what one CRNS member called ‘wasted resources and wasted lives’.

David has worked as an Associate Lecturer for the Open University for 17 years, tutoring on three Environment modules. He lives in Dingwall, and enjoys running, cycling, hillwalking and wild camping, often with some of his four children.

Mark is the CEO of Stella’s Voice and in charge of its UK operation. Having been with the charity for over 37 years Mark not only brings a passion and keen interest for all things reuse, he also brings extensive experience and insight from his decades of working in the charity and reuse & recycling sector and how these projects can be used to impact and transform lives in communities locally and overseas.

Since joining, Mark has been actively engaged with Circular Communities Scotland and in 2019 Stella’s Voice joined the Reuse Consortium which has increased the involvement and engagement with Circular Communities Scotland.

Jon Molyneux is Scottish Affairs Lead for Fareshare, which is the UK’s largest charitable redistributor of surplus food. In Scotland, Fareshare works through four regional centres and supports over 750 community-based organisations to access good food. Jon is also a serving councillor on Glasgow City Council, representing the Pollokshields ward for the Scottish Green Party since 2017.

Previously, Jon was Head of Communications and Engagement for Zero Waste Scotland and he has held a variety of policy and front-line roles in the environmental and social enterprise sectors. Originally from West Cumbria, and via university in Liverpool, Jon now lives in Glasgow with his wife and two boys. He is also a Trustee of Spruce Carpets, a social enterprise focused on flooring reuse.

Laura Anderson is an award winning climate activist, environmental scientist, and ethical influencer.

In October 2022 Laura began her PhD between the University of Abertay and the University of Dundee as a Hydro Nations Scholar in climate resilience work. She has a First Class honours degree in Geography and Environmental Science from the University of Dundee, and a Masters with Distinction in Environmental Protection and Management from the University of Edinburgh.

Laura regularly speaks in the media, bringing her expertise into conversations about climate, waste, sustainable fashion, and environmental justice issues. ​Speaking engagements, online and in-person, have been a core part of Laura's work, from her TEDx Talk to schools, conferences, and working with the private sector.

Laura has also worked for the international development charity Tearfund as the COP26 Coordinator and "Let's Change The Climate" programme manager. Seeking to bring younger voices into influential spaces, she also sits on a variety of boards and advisory committees.

Donna is the Opportunities Developer for Transition Stirling's latest project - the Stirling Reuse Hub, her role involves building collaborations with the public, private and third sector and regular problem solving.  Donna has worked within the Environmental and Circular Economy sectors for over 20 years primarily focused on research and pilot projects and also works part-time for Enscape Consulting.

Mary is the co-Founder and Director of Ostrero, which works to grow the Circular Economy in Scotland through mindset change and education. She is interested in the intersection between creativity and the Circular Economy and how this can bring about positive change. Previous roles include Director of the Incorporation of Goldsmiths and the Scottish Goldsmiths’ Trust; and Trustee of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland and Craft Scotland. Mary lives in Edinburgh with her husband and 3 children.

Austin is a committed proponent of social enterprise, dedicating his entire career to the Third Sector throughout Scotland and the UK. He also brings experience as a Trustee for two European charities.

Currently, Austin serves as CEO/Trustee of Spruce Enterprises, a Glasgow- reuse-based social enterprise established in late 2023, which unified four organisations to explore how collaboration among smaller entities could enhance capacity, delivery, and achieve meaningful economies of scale.

With two decades of senior leadership in economic development, welfare-to-work, and social enterprise, he has held prominent positions at Poppyscotland and Shaw Trust, a leading national and international disability charity. Additionally, Austin was Regional Director for Remploy in both Scotland and London and began his professional journey with the Wise Group in Glasgow. Austin is an avid reader of Roman history in his downtime.

Steven is currently CEO of Shetland based social enterprise, COPE Ltd which provide volunteer and employability skills development opportunities for individuals with learning disabilities and autism.  COPE Ltd run the Shetland Garden Co, Shetland Soap Company and Shetland Home Co. – Shetland’s largest re-use store.

Prior to this role with COPE Ltd, Steven, was Council Leader of Shetland Islands Council, and before that held Vice Chair role for the Environment and Transport Portfolio.  Steven’s background includes an 8-year period in a community liaison role with Home Energy Scotland, and he has operated his own business support services firm for approaching 20 years supporting a range of clients across several sectors.

Through all these roles Steven has been particularly proud to have supported a range of private, and third sector organisations develop their operations and impact.