Page 16 - Quadrangle_Autumn_2017

17

THE NEW the Edinburgh Presbytery of the Church of
Scotland and Edinburgh City Council and the
School had no say in who those people were.
In recent times we have been fortunate that
ORDER those nominated Governors have always
been excellent people, committed to the
task. But I don’t think the School has always
been this lucky and as we move forward in
an increasingly professionalised world it is
so important that the Board has the right
balance of expertise in key areas. Also, at
our heart we are a charity; the Foundation
This summer saw the beginning remains fundamental to Heriot’s, as does
of a new era at Heriot’s with bursarial aid. Charities are now highly
regulated, and rightly so, and when we are
Do you Chairman of the Governors, for Foundation400 and other projects it is
the appointment of a new
asking people to support us with donations
Sandy Paton. Sandy takes over
right and proper that we can demonstrate
excellent stewardship of their gifts.
the chairmanship after seven
years as Vice Chairman from
MG: I have been a Governor for 31 years
want ethical one of Heriot’s most ‘weel and the chairman for 21. Now the new Trust
kent’ faces, Mike Gilbert. This
Orders have been adopted it is the right time
transition coincides with the
for me to stand down. I am happy that the
adoption of one of the most
Board of Governors will be better equipped
for current times. Sandy will be leading a
comprehensive revisions of the
School’s constitution – the Trust
support the School to even greater heights.
Orders – to take place in the Board that will have all the right skills to
Also, the new process of recruitment ensures
Borrow between
 Loans £500 and £20,000, School’s history, an undertaking that people are appointed who are 100 per
that both Mike and Sandy, with
cent committed and dedicated to being
an effective Governor; something the old
the rest of the Governors, have
 Savings over 6 – 60 months lived and breathed for the last Orders couldn’t guarantee. It is quite an
Interest rates from
undertaking being a Governor here and
two years.
Heriot’s needs people who will give a
3.9% APR
 Mortgages (Terms and conditions apply) Sandy has been a Governor since 2001 significant portion of their time and energy
both to official business and to all aspects of
and completed his own schooling across
14.9% APR representative
the life of the School, be that cheering on our
the Forth in Kirkcaldy, but is as equally
and skill to continue the excellent working
committed to Heriot’s as any FP. He has a MG: I know Sandy has the right personality teams at Goldenacre or enjoying the plays
and concerts.
relationship that has been built up between
from a local financial co-operative wealth of knowledge of both business and the School’s senior management team SP: As Governors we know our role is not to
charity finance, as well as being involved
and the Governors. With the number of
owned by its members? in venture capital and as a non-executive Governors now reduced considerably and manage; that is the role of the Principal and
director of many companies across the
his - soon to be her - senior team. Our job is
country. a more strategic approach being taken to to support and to look ahead and to make
recruiting new Governors, I think he will have sure the resources are in place to enable our
Capital Credit Union do exactly that. At the end of the summer holidays, Mike a very talented and committed group of wonderful staff – both teaching and support
people to work with.
and Sandy spoke to Quadrangle together
- to excel. For Mike to have given 31 years
about their handover and the changes to SP: The importance of the review of the to being a Governor is quite something, but
the Trust Orders and how this will affect the Trust Orders should not be underestimated. under the new Orders Governors will serve
We are a friendly, ethical and professional So if you’re thinking of how to finance next Governors and the School. The old Trust Orders had been in place since for a three-year term and can be re-elected
organisation who can offer competitive year’s skiing trip or school fees, whether SP: It is certainly a very positive and exciting 1992 and times have changed a lot since a maximum of three times. So, from now on,
no Governor will serve more than nine years.
rates on all our products. you prefer to borrow or save – we can help. time for me to be taking over as Chairman. then both in terms of charity law and how
the School is conducted as a business. The
I have been a Governor at Heriot’s for 16 School is both a sizeable business with a MG: Yes, it’s definitely the right time for me
years and the School is in extremely good staff of nearly 400 and a turnover of £16 to retire. Although I am still a director of
Joining couldn’t be easier, it takes just 2 minutes online, or on the phone. shape. We are full and running waiting lists, million and it is also a charity which has to Heriot Enterprises and the Centre for Sport
Visit: capitalcreditunion.com Tel: 0131 225 9901 the exam results are consistently excellent – comply with modern legislation. The most and Exercise, so still involved. And I hope to
still be invited to the concerts and plays even
with this year being particularly impressive
visible difference with the new Trust Orders
– and we are creating great new facilities like is the make-up of the Board of Governors. though I’m no longer a Governor!
the new refectory, but it is so important not For many years the Governors have included
Capital Credit Union Ltd is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Firm reference number 213575. We to be complacent.
are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme therefore your savings are secure up to £85,000. For further information visit the FSCS website: www.fscs.org.uk or call 0800 678 1100. nominated representatives of bodies such as SP: Oh, I think we’ll definitely invite him back!
T’s and C’s Apply. For further information, refer to our terms and conditions document online.