Meet the committee members

Louise is a recognised leader across Scotland’s public and voluntary sectors. She has served as Chief Executive of the award-winning charity Young Scot, National Director of the Institute of Directors Scotland, and most recently as a Director-General within the Scottish Government. Her career reflects a deep commitment to youth empowerment, community development, equalities and public service, with significant contributions to policy-making and economic transformation. 

Katie is Senior Projects and Programmes Manager at Glasgow Life where her portfolio includes Glasgow's international festivals, citywide arts and music programming, and strategic cultural initiatives including Glasgow UNESCO City of Music. She is particularly interested in the role of creative placemaking locally, nationally and internationally. Katie recently graduated with a Masters in Musicology from the University of Glasgow in 2022 and plays violin in many of Scotland's amateur orchestras.

Natasha Gilmore is the founder and Artistic Director of Barrowland Ballet, one of Scotland’s most exciting and successful contemporary dance companies. An internationally respected choreographer for dance theatre and film, Natasha’s work has toured to six continents. Natasha is passionate about working inter-generationally and she has been recognised with international acclaim for her practice in contemporary dance work with and for neuro-diverse audiences and children with complex needs.

Asif is the Director of the Scottish Poetry Library. He is an associate of Arts Council England’s Powerbrokers International Leadership Programme. Previous roles include senior national policy advisor for the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade cultural commemoration and lead officer for Bristol’s programme in support of European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. Asif hails from Dundee and studied film with marketing at the University of Stirling.

Rakasree Basu, a film and TV producer, is recognised for her pioneering efforts in converging Nordic and Indian cinema. She is the founder of Frames Per Second Films (Mumbai) and Momentum Films (Glasgow). An alumnus of the University of Glasgow with a degree in Creative Industries and Cultural Policy, and a British Council India Creative Economy scholar, Rakasree leverages her leadership and creative diplomacy to bridge the UK and Indian film industries.

Alan Mackay is Deputy Vice-Principal International and Director, Edinburgh Global at the University of Edinburgh. He provides strategic leadership on internationalisation and works with senior leaders to advance the University’s international ambition and partnership.  Alan has over twenty years of experience in international higher education, he was appointed Deputy Vice-Principal, International in 2012, and prior to joining the University he worked for the University of St Andrews. 

Charlotte is the Director of Audiences at Capital Theatres. She began in the music industry working for labels in Paris, London, and Glasgow. After moving to Scotland in 2003, she was Head of Sales and Marketing at Scottish Ballet and Director of Audience and Media at National Theatre of Scotland. A founding member of Glasgow Short Film Festival, she currently serves on the board of Curious Seed. She is a passionate advocate of arts engagement.

Lesley is Executive Director of Education and Children’s Services for East Lothian Council. She has a primary teaching background and was a primary Head Teacher before becoming an HM Inspector with HMIE in 2004. She moved to East Lothian in 2017 and is responsible for all aspects of education and children’s social work. Lesley has served as a Trustee with the Scottish European Educational Trust and for the last two years, has been Chair of the Board of Trustees.  

Gayle holds a Chair in Events and Cultural Policy at the University of the West of Scotland, directing the Centre for Culture, Sport and Events. Her work focuses on cultural diplomacy, peace-building, and soft power diplomacy involving culture and sport. Former roles: Creative Scotland Board, Glasgow 2014 Cultural Advisor, Paisley 2021 bid Advisor, OECD expert, UK soft power group, FCDO advisor. Current: European Cultural Parliament, Edinburgh Cultural Summit Board.

Robert is an expert consultant and a former Director of Culture, Cultural and Natural Heritage at the Council of Europe. Robert has worked as an independent advisor for over 30 years, for governments and organisations globally on cultural development, regeneration, cultural tourism, festivals and policy. He has also been a consultant to cultural foundations, networks, arts organisations, and intergovernmental bodies such as the European Cultural Foundation, the European Commission and UNESCO.