Meet our Trustees
It’s Trustees’ Week, so what better time to introduce our Euan’s Guide Trustees?
Our Trustees determine the strategy for Euan’s Guide, set the pace for our operations, future development and growth. They provide direction and guidance for the Euan’s Guide team, while acting as champions of our small but mighty charity by supporting our cause personally and professionally.
We’re also taking this opportunity to say a big thank you for their support, and we hope you’ll be interested to find out more about their backgrounds and their reason for being part of our Euan’s Guide community.
Please send any comments or feedback to our Board members at hello@euansguide.com.
Shonaig Macpherson - Chair
Shonaig Macpherson has used her legal and business background to support organisations in the public, third and private sectors who wish to deliver lasting change for the people they serve. She loves solving problems!
“I am delighted to be involved with Euan’s Guide as it builds on its success to date and embarks on an exciting programme of growth. As a former colleague of Euan’s father Donald, I was pleased to be able to provide advice when Euan and Kiki first had their idea of making access for all available via a platform and how to make it real. I want everyone to be able to lead as full a life as possible, irrespective of their individual circumstances.”
Euan MacDonald, MBE – Co-Founder
Euan studied at St Andrews and Edinburgh universities before moving down to London to work in finance. After his Motor Neuron Disease (MND) diagnosis he moved back to Edinburgh to be with his family and fundraise for MND research. He’s married with two children and enjoys rugby, whisky and getting out and about.
“After facing many challenges and barriers due to not being able to find reliable disabled access information, I set up Euan’s Guide with my sister to address the issues around disabled access. The goal of Euan’s Guide is to provide a friendly, honest and empowering alternative to hours of web searching and phone calls and, most importantly, to remove the fear of the unknown when visiting a venue for the first time.
“I’m very proud that ten years on, Euan’s Guide continues to make a positive impact on the lives of disabled people and their friends, families and carers.”
Kiki MacDonald – Co-Founder
Kiki is Euan’s sister and was formerly an investment analyst and fund manager in London and Edinburgh. She is a non-executive director of Harviestoun Brewery and trustee of the East Neuk Festival.
“As Euan’s condition developed and his access requirements changed, I found the lack of reliable accessibility information increasingly frustrating, to the point that I felt we had to build something to help others in a similar situation.
“We found it very hard to find places with suitable access – for example, places with doors to fit a wheelchair through, accessible loos, and where staff would make you feel welcome. Simple things like meeting someone for a coffee became a research project, and we knew other disabled people were experiencing similar issues. We also knew that they had a lot of the answers – we wanted to hear from them and share their experiences with others. Euan’s Guide was set up as a place for that to happen.
“The amazing thing with Euan’s Guide is that people go to new places after reading the reviews on our site. The element of trust is invaluable – knowing someone in a similar position means their experience is relatable and provides confidence to try new places. It’s really special knowing we make a positive difference to people’s lives.”
Shona Thomson - Treasurer
A Chartered Accountant, Shona worked in the private sector in London before settling back in Edinburgh.
“For the last 15 years I’ve worked in the voluntary sector with responsibility for finance, human resources, facilities and fundraising. I’d say I have a desire to help and support others and I’m passionate about the work that Euan’s Guide is doing. I’m keen to help secure regular funding to ensure the good work continues because everyone should be able to access everything they need, without stress.”
Paddy Herridge
Paddy is board advisor, non-executive director and communications consultant. He was a co-founder of Parys Communications - one of the UK’s top 100 PR agencies – and grew the business until its sale in 2014. He is also co-founder of Social360, a social media monitoring business that works with some of the world’s largest brands.
“It’s a real pleasure to be a trustee for Euan’s Guide. With my experience in communications, marketing and business strategy - working with companies at all stages of their development – I hope I can bring sound advice and support to the team in their efforts to break down barriers and help with their mission to change attitudes to disabled access. Charities face many of the same issues as commercial businesses and I try to bring my experience of that world to help the organisation develop.””
Aydin is an active investor and advisor at board level. Formerly qualified as a medical doctor, and now a commercial-rated pilot, the only thing Aydin loves more than internet technologies is being at the controls of a plane.
“I’ve been passionate about technology, infrastructure and services all my professional life. I’m proud to support Euan’s Guide as it has become one of the key players in improving lives for its stakeholders.”
Kathryn leads on accessibility and inclusion within financial services and the business sector. Her work started with thinking about the built environment, which quickly grew to thinking about all touchpoint types.
“I’m passionate about removing barriers to disabled people accessing services or
experiences in any setting.
My work has led me to meet like-minded champions from a range of sectors, not just in banking. That’s how I met Euan, Kiki and the rest of the team at Euan’s Guide. As a founding supporter of Disabled Access Day, I was responsible for driving corporate participation of this event.
Having been an avid supporter of the charity’s aims for many years, I’m thrilled to be on the board of Euan’s Guide. Being able to engage in leisure and tourism, without obstacle, is something we should all have open to us. Euan’s Guide plays a leading role in raising awareness with businesses of this important issue, as well as providing a voice to disabled users.”
Photo - Euan’s Guide Trustees
Top row, left to right - Shonaig Macpherson, Euan MacDonald MBE, Kiki MacDonald, Shona Thomson.
Bottom row, left to right - Paddy Herridge, Aydin Kurt-Elli, Kathryn Townsend.
Trustees’ Week - 6-10th November 2023
Trustees’ Week celebrates the achievements of nearly one million trustees across the UK. It's a chance to say a big thank you for the time, commitment and effort Trustees bring to charities to help them thrive. The 2023 theme is: Many voices. Working together. With purpose.
Charities make a huge and positive impact on society and are dedicated to an enormous variety of good causes. This year Trustee’s Week celebrates the individual talents, viewpoints and experiences each trustee brings to their board and their collective decision making and how diversity can help make a charity stronger.
For more information, check out the Trustee’s Week website.
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