Ardgour Glensanda Development Trust
Trustees
Trustees retire after 3 years, and are eligible for re-election.
(years in brackets are the year of the AGM at which trustees retire)
Team members
Development Officer: James Hilder
James will be working for ADGT as a Development Officer throughout 2025 and looks forward to meeting as many residents as possible as he tries to push forward many of the projects outlined in the Place Plan. James has extensive experience in developing and supporting social enterprises at local, regional and national levels. James works as a consultant in the sector, running training programmes for the Social Enterprise Academy in the UK and internationally, is a Trustee of Foundation Scotland, Urram SCIO and Sunart Community Company.
Treasurer: Pete White (2028)
Pete currently lives in Ardgour, but over the past 15 years or so has lived in both Conaglen & Kilmalieu. He has been with the Development Trust since it started, and is currently the Treasurer. When he is not volunteering for the Trust, he works as a Lecturer & Instructor for University of the Highlands & Islands in Fort William, and also as a freelance instructor for outdoor activities for other organisations.
Trustee: Richard Stevens (2028)
Richard moved to Achaphubuil with his wife in 2021 from County Durham, having bought the building plot in 2018 after a few years searching for the right place to return to Scotland to enjoy their retirement.
He was employed by North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service working in the Emergency Control Room as an operator and progressed onto managing a watch. He was also an active member of the FBU being a branch representative then Brigade Secretary and a Regional Representative for Yorkshire & Humberside Control Staff, and a foster carer for over 10 years
Since moving to the area he has taken on the role of Chairperson for Treslaig Village hall which is an important asset for community activities and gatherings, and therefore worth saving for future generations. Richard looks forward to putting his knowledge and skills to use for the benefit of the Trust and progressing the Community Place Plan.
Trustee: Irene Evison (2028)
Irene moved to Clovullin four years ago, having lived in Wales for many years beforehand. She and her husband Steve love the area, and count themselves lucky to have moved to this community.
Her professional background is in community development and stakeholder engagement. She has worked with communities around England and Wales, as well as at strategic levels for charities, NGOs, government departments and grant-making bodies, so a real mix of hands-on very local and policy/strategic stuff.
Nowadays, she is focused on her small tapestry weaving business and making her own woven tapestries, many of them now inspired by the landscape on my doorstep. She is also a keen long distance trail runner, and enjoys taking time to watch the local wildlife.
Irene is excited to use some of her experience and skills to help with what’s going on and what’s being planned at the Development Trust.
Trustee: Elizabeth Carmichael (2026)
Elizabeth has lived locally for nearly 60 years, with the last four decades spent in North Corran and Clovullin. Her professional life has been rooted in education, having served as assistant teacher at the village school for 16 years, following a post as sole teacher at a small school on Loch Fyneside.
As the wife of the parish minister for 30 years, Elizabeth became deeply involved with the many communities across the Ardgour area. She served as a Community Council member for 12 years, was active in the SWRI when it was running locally, and remains a committed church elder and member of the Church of Scotland Guild.
Elizabeth is also a trustee of both Ardgour Memorial Hall and Urram, and continues to volunteer her time and energy wherever it is needed. Now in her final year as a director of AGDT, she reflects on her role with pride, having long aspired to support the Trust since its early days as the Ardgour Glensanda Trust.
Trustee: James Campbell (2026)
James has lived in Ardgour for 15 years, first in Kilmalieu and now in Clovullin. He joined the Board of Trustees two years ago, motivated by a desire to contribute more actively to the community and gain a deeper understanding of local priorities as the Place Plan developed.
With a background in electrical and electronic engineering, James spent 27 years working in the electronics industry, primarily in Hampshire and Surrey. After relocating to Ardgour to escape the daily commute, he applied his skills in a new direction—taking on roles as a maintenance manager and ski instructor.
James currently works part-time as a maintenance manager and as a Facilities Assistant at Ardgour Primary School, continuing to support the community in practical and hands-on ways.
Vice-Chair: Michael Foxley (2027)
Secretary: Ian Jackson (2027)
Publicity Secretary: Vacant (currently managed by Ardnamurchan Marketing)
Other Trustees: Tony Boyd (2028)
Chair: Trish Kennedy (2028)
Trish joined as a trustee at the formation of the Trust and has been involved in the changes to a Development Trust and the expansion that allows.
She was brought up in Fort William, and after a period away on the Inner Hebrides, moved to Ardgour in 1989, initially to Inverscaddle where she was employed on Conaglen estate for some 18 years. She now lives in her croft in Clovullin .
In those 36 years, she has served on several committees and groups, most notably as Chair of the Ardgour Primary School Parent Council during the building of the new school, as Treasurer for (and participant in) the Ardgour Drama Group since 2012, Ardgour Memorial Hall Committee for some 20 years, Ardgour Community Council for the last 7 years and Ardgour representative for the Arainn Shuaineirt Management Committee.
Trish is delighted that we now have a Community based Place Plan and that we are able to start taking some of the priorities forward. Local housing for our young people is a priority - we have amazing local schools and we need to ensure we have young people to live here and populate them! Personally, the development of our local pathways is also a favourite, as well as ensuring we keep Ardgour Memorial Hall open and accessible as a social meeting and gathering place.
Communications & Marketing: Becky Drinkwater
Becky will be sharing updates from the Trust and promoting the work of local community groups in the area. Becky is a freelance marketing & communications consultant working with local businesses including West Highland Peninsulas Tourism and Sunart Community Company, and is passionate about community projects and local initiatives.