SNJO Board Members
The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra currently has a Board consisting of 11 members who provide guidance, leadership, and support to the orchestra and their staff.
The position is voluntary and Board members are elected for a period initially of 3 years but may be re-elected for further terms if wished. The Board encourages this policy of rotation to encourage new members, fresh ideas and to ensure stability and continuity.
We welcome applications at any time for new Board members who are interested in the work and future of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. If appointed, they will be given personal guide to the SNJO’s work and an induction pack of information. Please contact us for more information.
Lifelong promoter of innovation in Music, Biotechnology and Business. Avant-Garde composer who helped launch the careers of the Human League, Gang of 4 and Delta 5. Past Chair of Hebrides Ensemble and EIF Trustee. Built a new industry around Dolly the Sheep and brought the essential protein Plasminogen to market for patients with a genetic deficit. Past Chair of UK Bioindustry Association and Vice-Chair of the US Biotechnology Industry Organisation.
David is a Chartered Accountant and runs a practice based in the south side of Glasgow providing accountancy, taxation and business advisory services to companies and other owner managed businesses as well as charitable bodies. His career has seen him work within both large and small professional offices and serve on Institute Committees. He is an enthusiastic ‘though amateur jazz musician with a keen interest in supporting musical talent within Scotland and has been involved with various charities in a trustee capacity over the past 20 years.
Currently General Manager of the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Karl was appointed in 2002 and has a musical remit to expand and deliver a diverse range of quality concerts and connecting the public with music. After graduating with a degree in ancient history and classical archaeology, Karl worked for The Guardian in Manchester but was keen to work in music and volunteered to write reviews for music magazines. Eventually in the 1990’s, he took a job working for Assembly Direct, helped to set up the Lothian Jazz School, established jazz touring networks across Scotland, and became touring production manager for artists including Dave Brubeck, Jan Garbarek, Maceo Parker, Courtney Pine, and a host of other artists.
From there his career incorporated all sorts of music related work – running his own agency and working for the Arts Council – until his present appointment at the Usher Hall where his ambition has been to successfully embrace modernisation with an appreciation of the building’s iconic history.
Karl joined the Board of the SNJO in 2015 having heard them at the Usher Hall as part of the Edinburgh International Festival and with Kurt Elling, and recognizing them as a truly world class ensemble. He felt that this is an exciting time to be involved and his vast experience brings much to the table and his firm belief that ambition and quality should be at the forefront of our thinking.
Alan has been a practising member of the Scottish Bar since 1989 and a Senior Counsel (QC/KC) since 2002. He specialises in public and commercial law, and medical negligence. He was Treasurer of the Faculty of Advocates from 2007 to 2011. He has been an elder and trustee of St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh since 2009. He recently chaired a governance review relating to the business of the Cathedral. He has enjoyed an eclectic mix of music throughout his life and has had a particular interest in jazz for a number of decades.
Stephen Duffy, 1971, is a graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and the University of Glasgow. An acclaimed jazz vocalist, pianist, arranger and voice coach, he presented BBC Radio’s “Jazz House” program for 11 years, winning a Sony Radio Academy Award Nomination and 3 Scottish Jazz Awards . He has held senior communications roles with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the RCS and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
Judith’s successful executive career culminated in 16 years at board level in a variety of roles within complex Technology and IT Services organisations such as BT, CGI and SopraSteria in the UK, the US, Canada and India. She now pursues a portfolio career with a focus on non-executive director and advisory roles in the technology, services and arts sectors working with organisations ranging in size from start-ups ands small companies to substantial businesses. Her strengths lie in preparing startups for scale up and supporting them through these growth phases. She brings strategy, growth, general management and governance skills to the boards she works with. Judith received her OBE for Services to the DIgital Economy from the Princess Royal in 2022.
Campbell Normand is a partner in an international law firm, DAC Beachcroft Scotland, and is based in Edinburgh. He is a solicitor advocate and has been qualified since 1986, specialising in civil litigation. He has had a lifelong interest in music, and in performing and listening to jazz piano in particular.
Robin is a Strategic Programme Manager at CalMac Ferries and has worked in business change and transformation for almost 30 years. He has a particular interest in the leadership behaviours that support people through effective change. He took up drums in his early teens and plays in a local church. His passion for jazz began in the 1980’s and has taken him to venues across the UK, the USA and Scandinavia. He is excited to see Scottish jazz making its mark globally and a new generation of musicians bringing its talents to these remarkable orchestras and their audiences.
Peter was part of the first cohort to graduate from the RCS Jazz Course. He continued to a masters in Classical keyboard and is currently completing his Doctoral degree. Peter performs with Tommy Smith in his quartet and duo regularly and also with his own piano trio. Peter received the Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year award in 2012, a Yamaha Jazz scholarship in 2013 and recently a Gleneagles scholarship.
