About Us – The Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust

David Watson

Trust Manager

David grew up on a croft in Altass so has been part of the area all of his life. David has gained almost 20 years of experience working in Economic and Community Development across the Highlands and Islands before joining the Trust.

David has managed EU Funding programmes and been a Senior Development Manager for HIE in Inverness and Shetland, and Economic Development Manager for the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

Kelly Raven

Office & Assets Manager

Kelly grew up in Surrey but has links to the area as some of her family originally came from Ardgay.
Kelly comes from a financial background and has worked for a major bank and financial institutions. She has used these skills to successfully own and ran a transport & logistics company for nearly 20 years.
Kelly had many years dealing with all aspects of accounting and has extensive experience dealing with charitable accounts.
In her spare time, Kelly enjoys being with her family, wild swimming and travelling.

Beth Simco

Project Manager

Beth launched her career at the Trust in September 2017 by studying for both an Association of Project Management EAL Diploma, and a Digital Marketing Diploma. She is currently studying for a Graduate Apprenticeship Business Management BA (Hons) Degree at the University of Strathclyde as well as carrying out her day to day work as a Project Manager.

She is a keen baker and cook, and keeps the office regularly supplied with cake! To keep fit she enjoys wild swimming and walking.

Irene Macnab

Administration Manager

Irene began working at the Trust in March 2014 on the Greening Kyle project. Since then she has also worked on the Keep Active Together and KALM projects and is now the Administration Manager. Irene lives in Bonar Bridge with her family and dog Betsy.

Beverley Hill

Project Manager

Beverley has been employed at the Trust since April 2015. She is an experienced Project Manager, who has successfully overseen the Keep Active Together (KAT) and the Community Food Stop projects, since their implementation.

Beverley now manages the KALM project supported by two part time members of staff and a dedicated group of volunteers.

Beverley’s professional background is in health improvement, having worked for East Dunbartonshire Council and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as an Exercise Referral Advisor. She has a BSc in Health and Fitness, Level 4 British Association Cardiac Rehabilitation qualification, Level 3 Personal Training qualification and a Diploma in Counselling.

When not at work, Beverley enjoys taking her two dogs, Poppy and Bella, on long walks.

Andrea Sperring

Kyle FEEDS Project Officer

Andrea and her husband moved to Ardgay from Bristol in 2017, where they renovated their first property in the Highlands. She joined the Trust in 2018, working at the Community Food Stop café and on the Keep Active Together project. She has worked on the KALM project, but now works on the Kyle FEEDS project and helps to run the Community Larder.

Mary Drylie

Kyle FEEDS Project Officer

In 2019 Mary volunteered in the Community Food Stop where she assisted with the cooking. She is has been employed part-time as a project assistant for the KALM project, but has moved on to working closely on the Kyle FEEDS project. She is a qualified child-minder but when she moved back to the Highlands she had more recently worked in hospitality in various cafes and restaurants.

She enjoys spending time with her family, going away in the caravan and walking her dog.

Fiona MacDonald

Project Officer

Fiona has lived in Golspie for the past 10 years and has many family connections to the area. She studied for her BA(Hons) in Childhood and Youth Studies as a mature student and has worked for several different groups that support families, children and young people. She has most recently been working within local schools as a Primary Teacher.
Fiona has volunteered for several local charities as a committee member and child protection officer.
In her free time, she enjoys gardening (not always successfully) and chasing after her spaniel.

Kirstin Langlois

Marketing Officer/ LDCI Project Officer

Originally from Tain, Kirstin left the Highlands to study at the University of Glasgow. After graduating with an MA in Italian and Film & TV Studies, and several years of travelling and working abroad, Kirstin returned to Glasgow where she worked as a production coordinator in the film/ advertising and fashion industry. Following this she worked in marketing and PR for a visual arts organisation.

After taking a career break to bring up her family, Kirstin moved back to live in Sutherland, and she began working as Marketing Officer at the Trust in December 2017. Since August 2020, Kirstin has been contracted to work for Lairg & District Community Initiatives as Project Officer.

In her spare time (which is limited!) Kirstin likes snowboarding, travelling, hauling the children out to walk the dog, and eating good food!