Our Board of 15 Directors provides the strategic direction for Edinburgh Leisure and ensures that we maintain the highest level of standards and performance, meeting at least six times per year.

Board members
The Edinburgh Leisure board consists of:

• Dr Charles Winstanley (Chair)
• Councillor Deidre Brock (Vice Chair)
• Councillor Ronnie Cairns
• Dr Cathy Higginson 
• Richard Jeffrey
• Ray Jones
• George Lee 
• Dr Colin Mumford
• Councillor Gordon Munro
• Michael Sibbald
• Sandy Sutherland
• Councillor Marjorie Thomas
• Councillor Iain Whyte
• Barry Sinclair 
• Scott Haldane

Board Reports
To find out what's been happening in the wonderful world that is Edinburgh Leisure by checking out our Board Reports, number one in the choices below.

About the Board members

Charles Winstanley (Chair) Charles Winstanley was appointed Chair of the Edinburgh Leisure board in June 2010. He has been Chair of NHS Lothian since April 2007. He is a member of the Ministerial Strategy Group on Health and Social Care, a member of the Scottish Government’s Quality Alliance Board, and a member of the Edinburgh City Council Partnership Board. He is a non-executive director of the Ministry of Defence, a non-executive director of the Scottish Government, and holds judicial office on the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal. A former management consultant with his own company, he has masters and doctoral degrees in business administration. He lives in Edinburgh and his interests after his family include running and sailing.

Councillor Deidre Brock (Vice Chair) Deidre Brock is Convenor of the Culture and Leisure Committeefor the City of Edinburgh Council and isSNP Councillorfor the Leith Walk ward. She sits on the Economic Development Committee and Leith Neighbourhood Partnership and is Convenor ofthe Jean F Watson Bequest Committee. Other Boards of which Deidre is a member include the Royal Scottish National Orchestra,Festival City Theatres Trust,the Centre for the Moving Image, Creative Edinburgh and Edinburgh Film Focus. Deidre obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the John Curtin University in Western Australia and trained as an actor at the W.A. Academy of Performing Arts where she graduated with a Diploma in Performing Arts. Prior to becoming a Councillor, Deidre worked for three years at the Scottish Parliament as a parliamentary assistant to Rob Gibson MSP, and is the mother of two girls who use Edinburgh Leisure facilities regularly.

Councillor Ronnie Cairns Ronnie Cairns is the SNP Councillor for Pentlands ward. He is also Vice-Convenor of the Culture and Leisure Committee of the City of Edinburgh Council and sits on various other Council committees. In addition he is a Board member of the Scottish Museums Council and Pentland Hills Neighbourhood Partnership as well as a Director of Wester Hailes Land and Property Trust, Edinburgh Science Festival and the Royal Lyceum Theatre. Ronnie is the Council representative on the West Edinburgh Partnership, Chairman of Edinburgh West Enders Drama Group and also sits on the Sighthill Community Education Centre Management Committee. Ronnie is married with two children and four grandchildren and lives in Sighthill.

Dr Cathy Higginson Cathy Higginson is a Registered Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian with over 15 years experience working in the areas of food and health improvement in Scotland. Cathy gained her PhD in nutrition and cognitive psychology from Queen Margaret University in 2000, and since then has worked in a number of research and management roles with NHS Fife, NHS Health Scotland and latterly the Scottish Government. In 2007 Cathy chaired the Expert Working Group which made recommendations to Scottish Ministers on Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Scottish Schools. Other work has included leading the development of national guidance on the nutrition of pre-school children, co-ordinating a strategic review of Scottish Government policy on food and health, and contributing to the development of the new Maternal and Infant Nutrition Strategy for Scotland. Her current focus is on childhood obesity and promoting child healthy weight. A keen runner, cyclist and swimmer, and fan of BodyBalance, Cathy is often found at Edinburgh Leisure facilities, on her own or in the company of her husband and two young children, all keen badminton players. Cathy is an active member of the Parent Council at her sons’ primary school in Edinburgh.

Richard Jeffrey Richard is the former Chief Executive of TIE ltd, responsible for the Edinburgh tram project. He previously worked for the infrastructure investment business Babcock and Brown, leading their expansion in Scotland. Prior to this he held the posts of Managing Director of Edinburgh Airport Limitedand prior to that Aberdeen Airport. Richard has extensive experience of working as a non executive and working in partnership with the public sector. He was President of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce for 3 years and in the past has been Chair of the Edinburgh Tourism Action Group, a Non Executive Director of The Edinburgh Convention Bureau, Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian, and Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board. He is also the Australian Honorary Consul in Scotland Richard brings strong commercial and strategic skills, and experience in facilities management, health and safety and customer service.

Ray Jones Ray Jones has spent a lifetime in the Agri Food Industry working both at home and based in the Far East for a number of years, working on acquisitions and Joint Ventures as part of the Unilever group of companies. Ray returned to the UK in 1998 and was Chief Executive with the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland until his retirement in early 2011. This is a major charity with 1.2m visitors a year and 14,500 members. Ray is now Chairman of Scotland Food & Drink, and has extensive experience in multi site operations.

Dr Colin Mumford Colin Mumford is a Consultant Neurologist in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. He previously held the position of Clinical Director for neurology and neurosurgery, and has worked at both the Queen Margaret Hospital Dunfermline and the Victoria Hospital Kirkcaldy, as well as in Edinburgh. He is an honorary senior lecturer in Neurology at the University of Edinburgh. Colin was a member of the Joint Committee for Higher Medical Training and the Senior Advisory Committee for post graduate training in Neurology between 1992 –2003 and has been Chair of the Department of Clinical Neurosciences Consultant Staff Committee since 2002. Colin’s interests include hill walking, mountain biking, bridge and triathlon (for which he uses Edinburgh Leisure’s training facilities). He has also produced several professional and non medical publications and is a speaker of 9 languages.

Councillor Gordon Munro Gordon is Labour Councillor for Leith ward and Labour spokesperson for Culture & Leisure. Gordon swam and played water polo for 1930 ASC. He continues to swim using his swim membership with Edinburgh Leisurein particular atLeith Victoria swim centre which has been a lifelong favourite. Gordon's interests include Hibernian Football Club,music,cycling & reading.

Michael Sibbald Mike Sibbald graduated in 1972 with a BA in Economics from Heriot-Watt University and later received an MBA from Glasgow University in 1980. Mike’s career began in 1972 as Distribution Manager with Scottish & Newcastle Breweries. He later developed his career in the fields of production, sales & marketing and HR, and in 1991 progressed to Managing Director of UES Ltd. Here he played an active role as Managing Director of the Subsidiaries Division and achieved a turnover of c£800m. Mike’s most recent posts were in HR within the national health service and retail industries, however Michael is now retired and holds a number of external posts such as non-executive Director for various companies related to his previous positions.

Sandy Sutherland Sandy Sutherland is a past chairman of Great Britain Basketball & Basketball Scotland and a former President of Glasgow University AC. As Broadcaster-journalist he has covered eleven Commonwealth and six Olympic Games, his first job being a sports administrator with Universities Athletic Union in London. Sandy is also a keen sportsman having been twice Scottish shot putt champion, a recreational golfer and swimmer, as well as having played competitive badminton, football, rugby, table tennis and even weight-lifting! He now lives in Portobello with wife Liz (former GB international athlete) and has 3 children (all involved in sport). Sandy currently sits on the Boards of Basketball Scotland and Scottish Sports Aid.

Councillor Marjorie Thomas Councillor Marjorie Thomas is the Liberal Democrat member for the Leith Ward, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Culture and Leisure and Convenor of the Licensing Board. She is also a member of the Council of the Edinburgh International Festival and a Board member of the Edinburgh Jazz Festival. Being a keen sportswoman who likes most sports, her favourites are tennis and swimming, which she does as much as time allows. It’s not surprising then that her whole family are ‘sport mad’! Her husband is a keen golfer, and her two sons (one a PE Teacher) are keen sportsmen who play lots of rugby.

 Councillor Iain Whyte Iain Whyte has been a Member of the City of Edinburgh Council since April 1995 and represents the Inverleith ward. He was the Conservative Group Leader from January 2002 to April 2010 and was elected as Convener of Lothian and Borders Police Board in June 2007. Outwith the Council Iain is a Non Executive Director of Lothian NHS Board and has previously worked in the NHS and as a Conservative Party researcher in the Scottish Parliament. He is also a Governor of Fettes College, Edinburgh and a Director of EICC Ltd. Iain was born in Edinburgh and his personal interests include horse riding, golf (using Edinburgh Leisure courses) and Hibernian Football Club.

George Lee George lee has worked within local government for the past 32 years. He is currently an assistant manager within a care home in Edinburgh. George spent a substantial part of his career seconded to the trade union UNISON during which time he represented the interests of its members within Edinburgh leisure. George’s interests include Heart of Midlothian Football Club, reading, current affairs and golf.

Barry Sinclair Barry is a former pupil of Portobello High School and has been Secretary of Portobello FP RFC since 1995 (he has played, coached and now serves in administrative roles). Barry has been an executive in the Wine and Spirit trade for over 35 years and is currently in an administrative role in the Finance industry. He presently serves on Scottish Rugby Council and Championship Committee representing Edinburgh and the Lothians Clubs who play in the Regional Leagues, and is also currently Chair of ClubSport Edinburgh and Secretary of Greater Craigmillar Sports and Physical Activity Forum. Barry’s previous roles include Secretary of Scottish Universities Rugby and Scottish Representative on British Universities Sports Association Sports Management Group. He enjoys and supports all sport, particularly rugby.