Board of Trustees
MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SMSA
SIR HARRY BURNS
Patron
Sir Harry Burns – Professor of Global Public Health, University of Strathclyde and President of the British Medical Association – was officially announced as the patron of the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association in March 2020.
Sir Harry Burns was the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland for nine years (September 2005 to April 2014) and became renowned for his accomplishments in addressing health inequalities. Sir Harry was knighted in 2011 in recognition of his outstanding achievement and service to society. He is a member of the Council of Economic Advisers in Scotland and, in December 2014, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon presented him with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Scottish Public Service Awards, recognising his lasting contribution to public service.
The primary role of Sir Harry Burns, as our patron, is to lend credibility and support to the SMSA. Within his prominent health roles and to his peers, he will represent the Men’s Sheds Movement in Scotland.
DAVID GARDNER
Chairman
David became Chairman of the SMSA in 2020. He was the Vice Chair of Garnock Valley Men’s Shed (GVMS) and after many years at the helm, stepped down in late 2023 but remains a trustee at his local Shed. He is very enthusiastic about the Men’s Shed concept and ongoing development.
DAVID CONNER
Secretary
David is the former Chairman of four years of Kinross & District Men’s Shed and brings a wealth of learned knowledge and experience.
David has run several businesses including an electrical contracting company and returned to learning in his mid-40s to achieve a BA in Design and Technology and become a teacher.
David joined the SMSA Board in July 2023.
JON SEARLE
Treasurer
Jon retired in 2011 from Standard Life Assurance Company where he led a team of 15 that designed, built and maintained their global telecoms network. Jon was responsible for an annual budget of £13.5m.
Following retirement, Jon soon became bored with his ‘permanent holiday’ and searched for something to occupy his time.
Jon volunteered with Braveheart, a charity that worked with elderly people who suffered from heart problems, before moving on to work on a project sponsored by the Institute of Physics in London for four years. This project, called Lab in a Lorry, entailed visiting every secondary school in Scotland with a mobile laboratory to provide practical experimental experience for students. In recognition of his volunteering, the Institute of Physics awarded Jon full membership status at the end of the project.
Jon ‘found’ Men’s Sheds and joined Wee County Men’s Shed and is now their Chairman. The Shed quickly doubled its membership, delivered projects to many local community groups and has gained a reputation for quality work, friendly welcoming members and responsible management.
Jon is passionate about the Men’s Sheds Movement and strongly believes in the concept and ambitions of Sheds. As an SMSA Trustee, he wishes to make a positive contribution to the future success of Men’s Sheds in Scotland and beyond.
ARCHIE PEEBLES
Trustee
Archie Peebles: Joined the UK Civil Aviation Authority as an Air Traffic Control Assistant by the Civil Aviation Authority in 1979 and employed to 2001 at Aberdeen Airport, duties included working alongside Air Traffic Controllers, dealing with flight plan and weather information in connection with the movement of aircraft. Worked at West Drayton and Swanwick Air Traffic Control Centres in Southern England, between 2001 and 2009 as part of the team managing the core ATC computer system.
Archie has served as secretary of Inverurie Community Council since 2010. In 2014 when the steering group for Inverurie & District Men’s Shed was formed, he joined as a member – Archie attends regularly and is the former Chairman.
WILSON GEORGE
Trustee
Wilson is the founding member of the Hawick Men’s Shed. He has been a Community Councillor for several years and also a trustee for the Borders Older People’s Forum.
CHARLIE MILLER
Trustee
Charlie is SMSA’s longest serving Trustee previously being the Treasurer who has visited many Sheds over the years, seeing them develop from a few guys with an idea into fully functioning Sheds.
After school, Charlie joined the Army, and, as an NCO spent 6 years in London and Germany. After graduating in History & Politics, Charlie worked as a field archaeologist to consultant level. After twenty years, having been employed in almost every archaeological task and capacity across northern Europe, Charlie had a near fatal illness while on a Scottish site.
A prolonged recovery followed by a cancer scare prevented Charlie moving into formal management.
Charlie has completed an HNC in Administration and IT and is continuing putting his life skills to good use for the SMSA.
GUS McLAFFERTY
Trustee
Gus is Chairman of the Men’s Shed Dalry in the West Coast and brings a wealth of experience following a 44-year career with BT, most recently leading service assurance for fibre rollout across the North of the UK.
A lifelong cyclist and former Scotland National Team manager, Gus is deeply embedded in the cycling world and community life.
Gus chairs the Ivy Cycling Club in Glasgow and served as Chairman of the West of Scotland Cycling Association for five years during the late 1990s.
Gus co-founded Men’s Shed Dalry in May 2022 and is proud to now spend his retirement connecting with ‘new mates’ through the Shed, often with cycling as the common thread.
FRANCIS EDWARDS
Trustee
Francis is a member of the newly-formed Sanday Men’s Shed in the Northern Isles of Orkney. He is recently retired after 30 years of palliative care nursing within the NHS and hospice movement. Francis was previously involved, in his early days of nursing, in setting up a ‘Well Men’s Clinic’.
Francis moved to Orkney when he retired to live the dream of island life and joined Sanday Men’s Shed mainly for the fellowship but also to pick up a few DIY skills, which he freely admits to currently having none. He is a recent convert to the Men Shed movement but is full of enthusiasm for its values and mission.
Francis brings a voice from our island communities as well as his wealth of health experience from working in the NHS for three decades.
DONALD REID
Trustee
Donald Reid, Chairman of the Fort William Men’s Shed, is the SMSA’s first-ever Highlands-based Trustee – ensuring this vital region has a voice at the table.
Donald brings with him a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing Sheds in more rural and remote communities, helping the SMSA further strengthen its mission of supporting all Scottish Sheds.
Now based in Corpach, Donald is a passionate advocate for community, connection and volunteering.
A lifelong Glaswegian until moving up north with his wife in 2023 to be closer to family—children (Carrie and Graeme) and two grandchildren. Donald brings decades of leadership and people-focused experience — from running global sales with Moorcroft Pottery to 18 years as secretary of Glasgow Accies Rugby Club. Donald has travelled extensively and retired in 2016.
A founding member of the Milngavie and Bearsden Men’s Shed, he believes deeply in the power of Shed life to foster camaraderie, purpose and support—especially for men seeking meaningful social connection and a desire to help others in the community.