British Council Scotland is pleased to announce the appointment of five new members to its Advisory Committee following an open application process. These individuals will join their colleagues in advocating for the British Council's work in and on behalf of Scotland, providing guidance to senior staff, and facilitating Scotland's global connections and contributions.
The new members, representing diverse backgrounds, reflect the broad scope of British Council Scotland's work across education, arts, and global engagement:
- Rakasree Basu, Founder and Producer at Momentum Films
- Lesley Brown, Executive Director of Education and Children's Services at East Lothian Council
- Katie Duffy, Senior Projects and Programme Manager at Glasgow Life
- Charlotte Gross, Director of Audiences at Capital Theatres
- Gayle McPherson, Professor of Events and Cultural Policy at the University of the West of Scotland
The Scotland Advisory Committee is chaired by Dame Seona Reid, former Director of Glasgow School of Art and currently Vice Chair of Wasps Artist Studios, and a Trustee of Scottish Ensemble.
Welcoming the new appointments, Seona said: "I'm thrilled to welcome Rakasree, Lesley, Katie, Charlotte, and Gayle to the Scotland Advisory Committee. Their diverse expertise and perspectives will be invaluable in supporting British Council Scotland's work. As we celebrate the British Council's 90th anniversary, their insights will help us support the international ambitions of the education and arts sectors and enhance our work in global cultural relations for Scotland, the UK, and beyond”.
Peter Brown, Director of British Council Scotland, added: "We connect Scotland to the world - and the world to Scotland through our programmes in the arts and education. The Scotland Advisory Committee is a brilliant mechanism for ensuring that our work in, with and for Scotland is relevant, and supports the international ambitions of the sectors in the best way possible. I am grateful to the members for giving of their time and expertise, and I am very excited about welcoming our new members and working with them over the coming years."
2024 marks the 90th Anniversary of the British Council – 90 years of building international connections, understanding, and trust through work in the arts and education. British Council Scotland remains committed to showcasing Scotland's rich and diverse arts and cultural talent globally, fostering international partnerships and enabling artistic exchange. Forthcoming projects include the annual Momentum programme, delivered in partnership with Festivals Edinburgh and Creative Scotland, enabling international collaborations within the Scottish arts sector. In 2024, Momentum will welcome senior arts decision-makers from the MENA region, Mexico, Sweden, Turkey, Poland, Vietnam, and South Korea.
In education, British Council Scotland supports efforts to promote Scotland and the wider UK as a welcoming and attractive study destination, building mutually beneficial international partnerships. Their work with young people in Scotland facilitates learning about other cultures and languages, preparing them for life in a global, interconnected economy. Recently, they hosted a cohort of young global leaders as part of the British Council's "90 Youth Voices for the Future" programme. From July 3-5, 20 international youth leaders explored Edinburgh, engaging with local initiatives and policymakers, focusing on cultural connection and the arts as powerful tools for community engagement and social change.