Trustees
The John Preston Trust is managed by a small group of trustees who meet periodically to consider applications and make decisions on awarding grants.
Roz Preston, Chair
Roz Preston is a retired former dress designer, primary school teacher, political aide in the Blair administration, office manager for Ian Murray MP and boat builder. As wife of the late John Preston for forty years, she also describes herself as having been “married to the music industry”. She now resides with her 2 Tibetan Terriers in Edinburgh where she draws, paints and writes novels which reflect the exciting and varied life she has led. She also spends time sailing Sweet Dreams, the boat she and John built in a barn in Dorset.
Belinda Robertson, Trustee
Belinda has had a varied career working in law and investment management before moving into the Third sector where she worked for a large Scottish children’s charity. She then moved to Scottish Government where she led on permanency for children and young people in the statutory care system and was a professional advisor for a number of years. She is currently an Associate Director in NHS Scotland where she leads on quality improvement and systems change. In her spare time Belinda enjoys walking her dog on the local beach, reading and the arts.
Mary MacLeod, Secretary
Mary Macleod was a social worker for 40 years. For most of these years she worked with Children and their Families specialising eventually in Family Group Decision Making – where families come together to make plans for their family. Young people and their wellbeing both mentally and physically has been very much at the heart of her work with Mary being very aware of young people who have less choices than many. Mary has been on several committees throughout her life. Grampian Health Board, Orkney Complaints Review Committee, Chair of Pilton Health Board, North East of Edinburgh Credit Union and until very recently the Chair of Home Start East Lothian.
James Hutcheson, Trustee
James Hutcheson has enjoyed a long career as a book designer and illustrator, having worked for Canongate, Mainstream and Birlinn as well as many other publishing houses throughout the UK. Now freelance, he is busier than ever working for a number of University Presses and special projects. He is also a talented artist who exhibits regularly, most recently in the Burnside Gallery, Selkirk and the Doubtfire Gallery, Edinburgh. A long term member of the Lost Poets, he is also a musician and songwriter.