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Our Trustees
Home-Start helps families with young children
through their challenging times
Trustees help to lead & direct our work
Robin Black
Chairperson
Robin has worked in finance for 26 years as a stockbroker (in London, New York and Hong Kong) and an investment manager (in Edinburgh). He is currently an investment manager with Aegon Asset Management, where he works on the global team. He joined the board in 2018 and became Vice Chair in 2019. He has three teenage children and his hobbies include keeping fit, golfing and cheering on Scotland at rugby. He has degrees from the Universities of Aberdeen, York and Stirling.
Derek Ferguson
Vice Chair
Originally from Jedburgh, in the Scottish Borders, father of two Derek has lived and worked in North East Edinburgh since 1996 having previously studied at Edinburgh Napier University. He has held Senior Management positions in two successful local businesses and is currently the Business Manager in a large, local, high school.
Eliza Waye
Chief Executive
Originally from Australia, Eliza has worked in the voluntary sector supporting children and families for over 15 years. With experience working in Foster Care and Residential Care services, since moving to Scotland in 2013 her focus has been on the Early Years and supporting very young children to thrive. She is a trustee at another charity, as well as studying a Masters in Public Policy and Public Administration. She enjoys hillwalking with her husband and two Border Terriers, as well as reading and live music.
Jessica Wade
Trustee
Jess has worked in the Scottish voluntary sector since 2004, and is currently CEO of Carers of East Lothian. She is a Trustee of two other charities and was appointed to the Board of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) in 2016. She has a Masters in Public Administration from the University of York and is a long time human rights activist. She has two young children and likes to practice yoga in her spare time.
Phil Capon
Trustee
Phil has worked in the IT sector in Edinburgh with a number of financial service companies. A parent of two teenagers, he realises the importance of good parenting in those early years of childhood and is keen to be involved in enabling Home-Start Edinburgh to make the best of its resources to help local parents during this challenging time.
Emily Gaunt
Trustee
Emily is an accountant with Standard Life Aberdeen. She has experience of what it is like to volunteer and an interest in helping us develop our strategy in order to benefit the local community.
David Shields
Trustee
David works in the renewable energy sector and is passionate about creating a better future for the next generation, including his own two young children. That passion is also what motivated him to get involved with Home-Start and ensure as many families as possible can get the support they need to thrive.
Tamsin Balfour
Trustee
Tamsin has worked in investments for 21 years (in Edinburgh, Boston and Hong Kong). She joined the board in 2024 and her hobbies include walking, skiing and chasing after her three children. She has degrees from the Universities of Edinburgh and The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
David Livey
Trustee
Throughout his career David has worked in various political, policy development, public affairs and campaigns roles. David currently works as Policy & Public Affairs Manager at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO). His greatest pleasures include spending quality time with his young family, cooking and enjoying the outdoors.
Lisa Mallinson
Trustee
Lisa joined us as a trustee in 2020. She works in sustainable banking and has a responsibility for community programmes and a charitable campaign strategy. Living in Edinburgh with two young daughters, Lisa is very interested in the services we provide for families.
Emily Gaunt
Trustee
Emily is an accountant with Standard Life Aberdeen. She has experience of what it is like to volunteer and an interest in helping us develop our strategy in order to benefit the local community.
Eve Lewis
Trustee
No bio yet.
The earliest years make the biggest impact, make sure those years count
Starting in the home, our approach is as individual as the people we help
We give compassionate, confidential help and expert support
Sharing local expertise can drive local, regional and national change
There for parents when they need us most
