Aberdeen Deputy Lieutenants

Donella is a Vice Principal for Economic Development at Robert Gordon University – Donella, a native of the Isle of Skye, completed a BSc in Biology at Aberdeen University and trained as a primary teacher at the then Northern College, Aberdeen.

Her first senior leadership role post-graduation was as Manager for a land and visitor centre- owning charitable trust providing experience of the hospitality and tourism sector. She then embarked on an enterprise-focussed career, often working at the intersection between higher education and business.

She joined RGU in late 2012 to support the University to develop its commercial portfolio and business engagement after being CEO of an award-winning media and software company on Skye for 18 years.  Now, as RGU Vice Principal Economic Development, Donella champions the University’s work to stimulate economic development in the region, nationally and internationally, and in supporting businesses and other organisations to be more successful.

She is a member of number of committees and boards including the Scottish Funding Council’s Skills, Enhancement, Access and Learning Committee; and, closer to home, the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce Policy Group and Prosper’s North Committee. She has also worked extensively with international partners, with particular experience in Japan; Mexico and Colombia; and Algeria and Nigeria. 

Myles is the Co-Founder of Gathimba Edward Foundation along with Gideon Gathimba who he first met in 2009 at the opening of Aberdeen Sports Village. 

Myles is a successful athlete who has won the 1500m as well at 2 x 1500m indoor championships. Gideon is Kenyan and is also a 4x1500m relay world record holder. Their shared love of athletics brought them together and the foundation was born from their friendship. The charity aims to provide as many Kenyan children as possible with the opportunity of a bright future. The foundation celebrated their 10^th anniversary and to date they have given 641 children support, built 59 new homes and supplied 322 new beds. 

Myles ran in the London Marathon in 2024 and came in 135^th with the time of 2 hours and 28 minutes. Along with the running of foundation and his love for running he is married with two young daughters.

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Graeme was born and educated in Banff, where he spent the first 10 years of his working life as a fisherman and a part owner of a family fishing boat.  He entered Robert Gordon's University as a mature student and graduated BA(Hons) in Business Studies in 1994.  He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1997 and spent 10 years with Anderson, Anderson and Brown, a well-known accountancy practice. He then worked as a Group Finance Director with two well-known local Aberdeen businesses in the Construction Sector for 15 years.

Graeme's interest and affinity with Mental Health was heavily influenced by his experience (from aged just 18) as his Mother's guardian as she battled a lifetime of anxiety and depression. Graeme was appointed as a trustee of Mental Health Aberdeen (MHA) in 2010 and served as a volunteer on the Board and also as the Treasurer until early 2021.  He was appointed Chief Executive in Feb 2021 and is passionate about improving the understanding, awareness and overall Mental Health of the local Aberdeen community.  MHA is the largest individual provider of free counselling services in Scotland, excluding the NHS, and ensuring the growth and development of this 74-year-old local charity is of significant importance for Aberdeen. Direct engagement with local businesses is a key part of this, as well as constant engagement with other local grass roots organisations to leverage the combined support available and make the path to support as easy as possible for anyone local.

Graeme has lived in Aberdeen for 35 years and is married with two children. He is a past Governor of Albyn School (6 Years) where he chaired the Finance and Remuneration committee and he is a member of the Church of Scotland at Craigiebuckler Church, where he was the Gift Aid Convenor for ten years.     

Having spent nearly 30 years working in media and marketing, Morven recently changed career and took up a position with a new charity in Aberdeen – still to be launched – called All Life Chances. 

In her new role, she is responsible for providing strategic direction and marketing advice to existing charities and community groups that support local children, young people and their families, particularly those living in the city’s priority neighbourhoods. 

Morven is also the founder since 2019 of Celebrate Aberdeen, a voluntary initiative aimed at shining a light on the city’s third sector which comprises a city centre parade, annual awards dinner and a mental health and networking event. She is a mum of three and a fan of all things sports-related.

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Originally from Fife, Gillian has lived in Aberdeen for more than 24 years.  A wife and mother and granny, she is involved with several local charities and organisations, participating in various events throughout the year.

Her Christian faith Is her mainstay in life and she is actively involved in various church events, including camps for children and teenagers and helping in a local care home .

She is also a Director of the Marcliffe Hotel and actively involved in the day to day running of the business.

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Rita has been a Burgess of the City of Aberdeen for 23 years and she is also an Assessor for the Burgess. 

A former Head of Economic Development at Aberdeen City Council for 8 years with a reputation for delivery and a successful track record in business development, international trade development, marketing and events management.

A graduate in hotel management with experience of working abroad. Detailed knowledge of the tourism industry in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire which she now applies in her current role as a self-employed Tour Guide covering the Northeast of Scotland, where she offers the tours for French and Spanish visitors as she speaks fluent. 

Hector was born in India he grew up in Nigeria prior to migration to the UK. In 1979 Hector studied at University of Aberdeen and received MA (Hons) in Economics and Statistics as well as successful in achieving a PhD in Practical Theology in 2009. Hector is a retired senior research fellow at Robert Gordons University and is active in charitable work for India Ministries Fellowship as Chairperson and is currently the Vice Chair for Grampian Reginal Equality Council.

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