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Our Staff Team
Meet our hard-working, diverse, adaptable members of staff:
Tina Macleod
Chief Executive
I spend my time guiding and supporting our incredible staff team; together we develop and create new initiatives to serve our community.
Supporting local community groups with governance, fundraising advice and training is part of my role, it also involves representing the local third sector in local authority conversations, and working as part of the third sector interface representing the Western Isles, linking in with the Scottish Government.
I love my job - people are at the heart of everything we do.
Little fact about me - I competed for Scotland at World Karate Championships. There were two gents and me in the Scottish team. We lost. I even got my one and only black eye at those championships. I loved teaching new students Karate and seeing them progress and build in confidence, it was such a privilege.
I enjoy planning weekends away, going to concerts, playing the diligent servant to my two cockapoos, beach walks, long drives, dining in and out with friends and family. I love a good BBQ!
Piece of advice I try to live by: there’s always more than one way to tackle things, keep going until you find a way!
I spend my time guiding and supporting our incredible staff team; together we develop and create new initiatives to serve our community.
Supporting local community groups with governance, fundraising advice and training is part of my role, it also involves representing the local third sector in local authority conversations, and working as part of the third sector interface representing the Western Isles, linking in with the Scottish Government.
I love my job - people are at the heart of everything we do.
Little fact about me - I competed for Scotland at World Karate Championships. There were two gents and me in the Scottish team. We lost. I even got my one and only black eye at those championships. I loved teaching new students Karate and seeing them progress and build in confidence, it was such a privilege.
I enjoy planning weekends away, going to concerts, playing the diligent servant to my two cockapoos, beach walks, long drives, dining in and out with friends and family. I love a good BBQ!
Piece of advice I try to live by: there’s always more than one way to tackle things, keep going until you find a way!
Ruth Miller
Development & OHSEP Manager
Being part of the fundraising team I apply for funding for our projects, measure impact and report to funders.
I help develop projects that respond to and meet the needs in our community and shape our plans for years to come.
I also help promote and support social enterprise across the Outer Hebrides in my role with OHSEP.
This involves working with partners across the Western Isles and, more widely, across Scotland, to represent local people and influence decision makers.
I was born and grew up in Nottingham, England and in a previous life I was a primary school teacher for many years.
I enjoy gardening – growing fruit and vegetables, baking and crafts and try to live by "Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly".
Being part of the fundraising team I apply for funding for our projects, measure impact and report to funders.
I help develop projects that respond to and meet the needs in our community and shape our plans for years to come.
I also help promote and support social enterprise across the Outer Hebrides in my role with OHSEP.
This involves working with partners across the Western Isles and, more widely, across Scotland, to represent local people and influence decision makers.
I was born and grew up in Nottingham, England and in a previous life I was a primary school teacher for many years.
I enjoy gardening – growing fruit and vegetables, baking and crafts and try to live by "Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly".
Mandy Gillies
Volunteering Programmes Manager
My time is spread across our social action projects: the Islanders! Befriending Project, The Courtyard Collective Charity Shop and Polytunnel Projects and our Building Future Hebrides Project.
A key part of my role is supporting and co-ordinating our wonderful team of volunteers. If you wish to get involved, do get in touch with me!
In 2025 I was excited to be able to paraglide over the town Interlaken in Switzerland. It was SO AMAZING floating in the air high above the trees, the smell of pine from the trees and the views of Interlaken nestled between Lake Berienz and Thum, surrounded by towering mountains was wonderful to experience - one I’ll never forget.
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible!"
My time is spread across our social action projects: the Islanders! Befriending Project, The Courtyard Collective Charity Shop and Polytunnel Projects and our Building Future Hebrides Project.
A key part of my role is supporting and co-ordinating our wonderful team of volunteers. If you wish to get involved, do get in touch with me!
In 2025 I was excited to be able to paraglide over the town Interlaken in Switzerland. It was SO AMAZING floating in the air high above the trees, the smell of pine from the trees and the views of Interlaken nestled between Lake Berienz and Thum, surrounded by towering mountains was wonderful to experience - one I’ll never forget.
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible!"
Murtaza Barlas
Project Assistant
I am originally from Afghanistan and came to Scotland in 2021.
I am a part of the Embark project. We have different activities for people who live in the island. We try to build our community with hard work and a smile!
I love to have a walk everyday if the weather lets me do it! Also, I am a poet and love to write. I was a university lecturer and worked in the Attorney General Office back in Afghanistan but I started my work here as a gardener. I just want to say life is not always the same but I have always tried to enjoy my life and fought for it.
"Just keep going with a smile."
I am originally from Afghanistan and came to Scotland in 2021.
I am a part of the Embark project. We have different activities for people who live in the island. We try to build our community with hard work and a smile!
I love to have a walk everyday if the weather lets me do it! Also, I am a poet and love to write. I was a university lecturer and worked in the Attorney General Office back in Afghanistan but I started my work here as a gardener. I just want to say life is not always the same but I have always tried to enjoy my life and fought for it.
"Just keep going with a smile."
Naomi Barker
Accounts & Administrative Officer
I am from England but I grew up in Ness.
I assist the finance manager and carry out day to day accounting and bookkeeping duties.
An interesting fact about me is that I can ride a unicycle!
I am a qualified nail tech and like to create fun 3D nail designs in my spare time.
Good piece of advice? “Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming” – Dory, Finding Nemo, 2003
I am from England but I grew up in Ness.
I assist the finance manager and carry out day to day accounting and bookkeeping duties.
An interesting fact about me is that I can ride a unicycle!
I am a qualified nail tech and like to create fun 3D nail designs in my spare time.
Good piece of advice? “Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming” – Dory, Finding Nemo, 2003
Melanie NicAoidh
Oifigear Leasachaidh Gàidhlig/ Gaelic Development Officer
My post is to support the learning of Gaelic and to encourage and promote day to day use of the language in our communities. It’s a great opportunity to get Gaelic implemented into the Third Sector more, as well as acknowledging that it is an important part of our culture and heritage. Cànan beò, coimhearsnachd làidir! (A living language, a strong community!)
I was born right here in Stornoway – and I’ve been here ever since! Hobbies include baking and entertaining. I also love crafts – which I get to indulge in with teaching my Primary 1 Sunday School class!
I love Diet Coke, eating out, buying shoes and watching period dramas.
Absolutely 100% dislike smoked salmon, Irn Bru and football season.
A piece of advice I try to live by: "In for a penny, in for a pound!"
My post is to support the learning of Gaelic and to encourage and promote day to day use of the language in our communities. It’s a great opportunity to get Gaelic implemented into the Third Sector more, as well as acknowledging that it is an important part of our culture and heritage. Cànan beò, coimhearsnachd làidir! (A living language, a strong community!)
I was born right here in Stornoway – and I’ve been here ever since! Hobbies include baking and entertaining. I also love crafts – which I get to indulge in with teaching my Primary 1 Sunday School class!
I love Diet Coke, eating out, buying shoes and watching period dramas.
Absolutely 100% dislike smoked salmon, Irn Bru and football season.
A piece of advice I try to live by: "In for a penny, in for a pound!"
Una Macleod
Domestic Supervisor
I was born and grew up in Stornoway. As well as being a crofter I keep on top of the cleaning in the building. I originally came for 6 weeks and I am still here 28 years later!
I mostly prefer being outside. I enjoy my garden and looking after my 21 sheep. I also read a lot.
As well as being a granny I am now a great-granny, which I love! I am also an animal lover and in addition to my sheep, I have a 10 year old poodle, Kazuri, and 2 cats, Foggy and Ceo (as in Gaelic for smoke!).
My piece of advice: "Count to 10!"
I was born and grew up in Stornoway. As well as being a crofter I keep on top of the cleaning in the building. I originally came for 6 weeks and I am still here 28 years later!
I mostly prefer being outside. I enjoy my garden and looking after my 21 sheep. I also read a lot.
As well as being a granny I am now a great-granny, which I love! I am also an animal lover and in addition to my sheep, I have a 10 year old poodle, Kazuri, and 2 cats, Foggy and Ceo (as in Gaelic for smoke!).
My piece of advice: "Count to 10!"
Donna Morrison
Finance & Operations Manager
I oversee the finance function for our group of organisations. This involves dealing with a lot of numbers every day. I’m not afraid to admit that I like spreadsheets!
I originally come from the lovely district of Ness. I really enjoy travelling and experiencing other cultures, going to Zumba and trying to learn how to garden.
I lived for a while in Kampala, Uganda where I developed a strong hatred of cockroaches. Geckos were a much more welcome house guest.
A piece of advice I try to live by: "Be kind. It makes a bigger difference in and around you than you realise."
I oversee the finance function for our group of organisations. This involves dealing with a lot of numbers every day. I’m not afraid to admit that I like spreadsheets!
I originally come from the lovely district of Ness. I really enjoy travelling and experiencing other cultures, going to Zumba and trying to learn how to garden.
I lived for a while in Kampala, Uganda where I developed a strong hatred of cockroaches. Geckos were a much more welcome house guest.
A piece of advice I try to live by: "Be kind. It makes a bigger difference in and around you than you realise."
Our Board
The Third Sector Hebrides' board sets out the strategic direction and vision of the organisation and helps ensure that it fulfills its charitable purpose. The trustees that make up the board collectively have a wealth of knowledge, experience and skills that they bring to the oversight of the organisation.
Directors are volunteers who receive no remuneration for their role. We are always looking to recruit new directors with the skills and passion to help govern and lead our organisations. For more information about our work please contact us on enquiries@tshebrides.org.uk.
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