Our Board of Trustees

James McGuire

James has worked in heritage, marketing and engagement roles, currently working for the local HSCP in an arts and culture role. James has worked for the National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh, Hull's UK City of Culture 2017 team and in Renfrewshire for the last 6 years. James joined the STAR Board in October 2019.

Joe Ferrie

Joe worked in both the public and private sector for 25 years before moving in to the third sector, where he worked for 18 years. During his career he has covered contract, training, personnel and operations management. In addition, while working in Renfrewshire during his third sector career, he was involved in social enterprise development, community engagement, volunteer recruitment (both individuals and employers) and management of a variety of grant aided programmes designed to support and develop community organisations. He also played a key representative and dissemination role in the development of Health and Social Care, Employability Partnership initiatives, a national Equality Partnership for the third sector and Anti-Poverty projects. Joe continues to be passionate about developing the knowledge and involvement of local people to ensure communities can be more involved and empowered; having their voices heard in order to achieve recognition with regards local decision making that effects their lives. Joe joined the STAR Project Board in March 2020. Joe is currently Chair of STAR Project

Kate Drummond

Kate is a community artist and gardener, with over 25 years of experience of working with people in a range of community settings. Kate is currently Health & Wellbeing Officer for Glasgow Afghan United Women's Empowerment Project and is studying Masters in Architectural Studies (Urban Design) at Glasgow School of Art focussing on Nature-based solutions to environmental issues. Between 2018 -2021 Kate worked within the Arts Team at Renfrewshire Council - developing and delivering the community and visual arts strands of the Future Paisley programme (2021 City of Culture bid legacy).

Kate's creative community practice is informed by a genuine interest in people, their stories and experiences and connective, place-based creativity. Kate is passionate about developing artworks and civic spaces with narrative and meaning rooted in a sense of place, history, memory and belonging; and strongly believes in creating opportunities for people to enjoy and participate in welcoming, accessible and meaningful creative experiences. Kate joined the Board September 2021.

Lesley Compston

Lesley has been active in the Renfrewshire community for many years, establishing many groups and charities all with a shared vision of helping families to be the best they can be. She has built and designed play parks in Linwood and Johnstone and is also recognised as a Social Entrepreneur representing the third sector in focus groups that include Scottish Government and local Government. Her day job is Child Care Manager in a Social Enterprise called KLAS Care of which she is the co-founder. Lesley is the proud recipient of two Renfrewshire Provost Awards and carried the Queens baton during the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

George Walker

George has worked in banking since 1975. His current role includes coaching and mentoring other staff. He also is a problem solver, helping develop processes where the current system requires amending. He has also been an active union member, serving on various committees, including equal opportunities. In later life he obtained a BA in philosophy through the Open University. During this time, he served on Committees of the OU Student Association. These included hosting events for new students and taking part in regular meetings with the senior staff in OU Scotland. A member of the Council of the Paisley Philosophical Institution since 2016, George has been programme secretary and secretary and is currently the President. This role involves arranging speakers and introducing the talks. Since being introduced to the STAR Project and seeing their impact on the community, he wishes to assist in whatever way he can. George joined the Board in June 2023.

Sharon Glasgow

Sharon qualified as a social worker over 30 years ago and has worked in variety of jobs, mainly in Local Authorities, including Renfrewshire Council for over 20 years, and also in the 3rd sector. During her career she had had operational, learning and development and strategic responsibilities within children and families’ work. She worked at CELCIS (Scotland’s centre for excellence for children’s care and protection) at the University of Strathclyde to establish the Protecting Children Programme and at Scottish Government as a Social Work Adviser. She currently works with Social Work Scotland as the Protecting Children Policy and Practice Adviser.

Sharon has had a particular interest in ensuring that the voices of those with lived experience are central to the development of policy and practice and has worked to ensure that the principles of equality and respect are at the centre of her work. Sharon joined the STAR Project Board in June 2023.

Dr William Burns

William is the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's Social Care Policy Advisor. Before this role, he was the Scottish Government’s Social Care Reform Finance Lead. At the Scottish Government, William was involved in costing a range of social care reform policies stemming from the Independent Review of Adult Social Care, and led on work contributing to the establishment of the National Care Service. Alongside these responsibilities, William attained a PhD in English Literature from the University of Glasgow. His PhD focused on women's experiences of working in Paisley's thread mills, and he explored the interactions between poetry and oral history.

William is experienced in facilitating events and training, and in his role as Social Care Policy Advisor, he combines the skills in research, writing, publishing, public speaking and academic rigour gained from his doctoral studies with his knowledge of social care and social care finance. He runs the Social Care Network and acts as CIPFA’s policy voice on social care issues.

William joined the STAR Project Board in May 2024.

Suzanne Gallagher

Suzanne is a seasoned HR professional with extensive experience in leading and transforming human resources operations across multiple sectors, including hospitality, manufacturing, private social care, distribution, and retail. Her leadership in Diversity & Inclusion and Health, Wellbeing & Benefits initiatives earned her previous organisations several prestigious awards, including a Silver Award from Tide ED&I and HR Brilliance Award UK. Suzanne is passionate about creating inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive and has successfully implemented numerous programs to enhance employee engagement, retention, and wellbeing.

Throughout her career, Suzanne has demonstrated a strong ability to partner with senior leadership to drive strategic HR initiatives that align with business goals. Her commitment to continuous improvement is evident in the numerous HR projects she has led, from implementing new absence management policies that significantly reduced absenteeism to developing innovative employee wellbeing and rewards platforms. Suzanne's ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels has been key to her success in driving positive organizational change and fostering a culture of innovation.

As an advocate for diversity and inclusion, Suzanne has led initiatives such as the creation of Mental Health and ED&I employee forums, the development of gender-neutral communication strategies, and the introduction of inclusive benefits packages. Her leadership in these areas reflects her dedication to making workplaces more equitable and supportive for all employees. Suzanne is a dynamic HR leader who brings a wealth of experience, 1st Class Honours Degree in Human Resource Management, First Aid Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Officer and an Accredited Paralegal in Employment Law with a strategic mindset, and a passion for fostering inclusive and high-performing workplaces. Suzanne joined the STAR Project Board in August 2024.