David Kendall
Dave Kendall has been the chair since the charity formed in 2018. His full time post is as Chief Officer in the Church of Scotland, one of Scotland’s largest charitable organisations, where he has worked since November 2019. Prior to this he was the Director of Programmes in a Research Centre at the University of Strathclyde for 2 years after 37 years in the electricity supply industry where he held a wide range of senior operational and head office roles. Dave loves to be in jobs or voluntary roles where he can make a difference and thrives on challenges. In addition to his full time Chief Officers role he is fully committed to the voluntary role at Skills Exchange and is involved in his local Church as both an elder and worship leader.
He brings significant experience to the Trustee Board in the areas of people management, finance, leadership, fund raising, academic/charitable organisations, operations, networking, training and delivery of commitments.
Dave is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry having graduated as a Chemist before moving into engineering and senior management.
John Bryers
I’ve recently retired from the nuclear Energy sector after 34 years
I was recognised as an industry expert in radioactive waste management and power station decommissioning and was adviser to governments north and south of the border in these areas and sat on a number of govt advisory committees.
I held a variety of leadership and senior management positions over 3 decades. – I’ve formed and lead large multi disciplinary teams and multi million pound projects.
I was for several years responsible for the strategy and management of a nuclear, liabilities portfolio of 24 billion pounds.
I’m a chartered engineer with an Honours – degree in chemical and process engineering I also have a Masters in Business Administration.
My skill set is: Leadership, project management, financial and provisioning planning, strategy development, business optimisation, training and mentoring.
I’m delighted to be a trustee and keen to actively contribute to skills exchange and make an impact.
Lyndsey Gaja
Lyndsey previously worked with Skills Exchange SCIO as an employer hosting work placements and was delighted to join the Board as a Trustee in June 2019.
She is passionate about supporting and empowering people to reach their full potential and has seen first hand the positive impacts Skills Exchange has on the clients it works with.
Lyndsey brings over 15 years HR and Learning Experience to her Trustee role.
James Hayes
The last 20 years I have worked in adult social care, including working with adults with a learning disability, setting up innovative services, but my real passion has been working alongside homeless people, especially those rough sleeping.
Having established a charity run Drop-In Centre for rough sleepers in England (2018-2021), I moved to East Kilbride in September 2021 to join a charity supporting the homeless in temporary accommodation and I continue to work for them, but now in the community.
It was whilst working as a Panel Member on the Children’s Panels and with younger people in the community that I was reminded of the importance of education as a means of changing peoples lives. It had been instrumental in changing my life growing up in London in the 1970’s. It was a ticket to a better life.
Not just learning for academic reasons, but for the confidence and feelings of self worth learning something new can bring, especially if achieved in supportive surroundings by supportive teachers.
When I saw the vacancy for the role of a Trustee at Skills Exchange SCIO, I felt I could add value to the amazing work already being done.
I have loved meeting the young people and finding out how they have been helped to grow as people by attending Skills Exchange SCIO sessions and the relationships formed with their peers and tutors.
Helen Dunlop
