Meet the team

Heather took up role as CEO of Craighalbert in January 2026. She was previously the CEO of Cosgrove Care, large social care charity, for 9 ½ years, leading a significant period of growth, modernisation and development of the organisation. Heather has worked with children and adults with complex needs in the public and third sector for over 30 years, and as a CEO in the third sector for 20 years. She is a strong advocate of human rights and a qualified Occupational Therapist. Heather has pioneered the arts in supporting children and adults with additional and complex needs to challenging stigma and discrimination and helping people thrive, achieve their potential and realise their Human Rights. She has led a number of high profile campaigns around Educational Attainment, for both looked after children and deaf children over recent years. Heather has held positions as the Director for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales for the National Deaf Children’s Society, Director of the Princes Trust and Chief Executive of Who Cares? Scotland. She has a strong track record in organisational development in the third sector as well as national influencing work relating to the BSL Act, National Audiology Standards, and the Historic Abuse Enquiry. Heather has also held a Non-Executive Director position with Bon Accord Care, an arms-length trading company in Aberdeen and has been a long-standing Trustee and Chair of West of Scotland Deaf Children’s Society. Her interests lie in influencing national and policy and practice, challenging stigma and discrimination for marginalised groups and pioneering models of support to allow people with additional needs to thrive, achieve and live life as equal citizens.

Alison moved from London to work at Craighalbert shortly after it opened in 1991, and remains as committed today as she was then to its vision: providing excellent and innovative services for Scottish children with neurological conditions, their families, and the wider multi-disciplinary teams supporting them within their home communities. A Montessori teacher by training, and with experience of mainstream, specialist, private, and third sector service provision, Alison has spent the best part of three decades working in almost every part of Craighalbert. Alison’s experience spans hands-on practice in a role equivalent to a learning, care and therapy practitioner; leading the establishment of nursery and school classes; developing flexible, sessional and outreach services; and shaping early intervention provision. Alison has served as Interim CEO on a number of occasions and has been part of the Centre’s leadership team for over 25 years, most recently as Head of Quality, Partnerships and Innovation. In her current role, Alison focus’ on ensuring quality and consistency across our services, strengthening and sustaining early intervention, and exploring new programmes and approaches that enhance what we offer to children across the full spectrum of neurological conditions. Alison is particularly motivated by building meaningful partnerships that complement our core services, and by contributing to policy, evidence-informed practice, and national guidance, always with the aim of improving outcomes for children and families.

Shona qualified with a BEd (Hons) in Education in 1993 and has since continued her professional learning with postgraduate certification and Master’s-level study in Inclusive Education, Policy, Research and Practice. Shona has worked within the complex and Additional Support Needs (ASN) sector throughout her career and has over 30 years’ experience supporting children and young people with a wide range of needs. In Shona’s role as Head of Learning, she leads learning and teaching from nursery through to S6. Shona is responsible for curriculum development and for ensuring that every child and young person experiences meaningful, engaging learning that reflects their individual strengths, needs and learning styles. Shona holds dual GTC registration for both Primary and ASN and acts as an Advisor for the Education Scotland Teacher ASN programme.

Barbara-Ann has over 20 years’ experience working with babies, children, and young adults, many of whom have complex healthcare needs. She has worked within Craighalbert for over 16 years, including 8.5 years at senior leadership level, providing strategic leadership for health services and clinical governance. Barbara-Ann’s role includes responsibility for service development, workforce training and supervision, partnership working, and organisational compliance. Barbara-Ann is a registered nurse with a BSc in Health and has undertaken extensive professional development across a range of areas relating to children’s health. Barbara-Ann is also a Level 4 Accredited Intermediate Paediatric Sleep Advice Consultant. Within the centre, Barbara-Ann has a remit across all services.

Responsible for financial planning, management, and reporting, ensuring sustainability and proper use of funds alongside human resources, facilities, ICT and administration coordination.