Meet the Team

Meet the wonderful staff who make Smart Play Network and our projects happen. To navigate to a specific team just click the buttons below, or scroll to meet everyone!

Board of Trustees

Deborah Jans

Chair / Director

I am a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist working with children and adults with additional support needs. I specialise in using technology for those who have lost their speech due to injury or accident. I also manage our SPLAT Toy Library which is a toy library for children who have additional support needs. I have been a member of Smart Play Network for many years and am very interested in spreading the word about the importance of play for all children. I am American but have lived in Scotland for over 30 years. I have 2 children and 2 gorgeous grandchildren. I enjoy travelling around Scotland in my new electric car and have a desire to learn to play golf when I can find the time.

Ian Highley

Treasurer

I have worked in accountancy and finance all my working life. My experience ranges from professional practice to financial services and banking to local and central government and statutory bodies. I have been contracting for the last ten years because I enjoy the variety and challenge this kind of work brings. Also I hold an SHNC in accounting and am a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians. In addition I have the Financial Planning Certificate and the Mortgage Advice qualification.

Eliza Lam

Trustee / Director

My play journey ‘re-started’ in adult life as a mother of two children which brought me back to growing up in Sweden where unstructured play and forest schools formed my early childhood. As a parent, I wanted to ensure that my children would have the same experience, so I became involved in the local community in East London through the parent-led nursery as a Parent Director. As the children transitioned to primary school, I worked closely with the local school to introduce Forest School and outdoor learning into the school curriculum. I also became a Trustee at the Hackney Play Association in East London, a charity that provides play services at adventure playgrounds and through play street projects. In 2022 I moved to Edinburgh with my family, and I was lucky to be able to join Smart Play Network as a Trustee and continue to be involved in this important work. Outside of the world of play, I have been working in the business consultancy and financial services industry specialising in risk management, compliance and financial crime prevention for the past 20 years. I am a strong believer that children and young people’s health, well-being and quality of life can be improved through play and that play helps bring parents and families together in the community.

Catherine Ilett

Trustee / Director

I have worked in Human Resources for over 30 years, where my roles have varied from managing the people practices and governance within an organisation to helping individuals and organisations develop to meet the requirements of an ever-changing environment. Originally training as a teacher having a Bachelor of Education and Postgraduate in Management it was an easy transition to deploy my understanding of personal learning into the business environment. As a result, I understand the value of play to personal growth in the earlier years. I am a mother of two and am now honoured to be part of Smart Play Network helping other children in Scotland to gain from the benefits of play.

Matthew Williams

Trustee / Director

As a primary school teacher in Edinburgh, I’m driven by a passion for providing top-notch educational experiences. I’m a proud father to two wonderful boys, and I wholeheartedly believe in the transformative nature of play. It’s not only a source of joy but is the bedrock for nurturing creativity, fostering social skills, and promoting overall health and well-being. Together with my background in Psychology and a decade-long stint as a Cub Scout Leader, I’ve developed a keen understanding of the pivotal role that play has in a child’s growth. Serving on the board of Smart Play Network is a genuine privilege for me. Ensuring that every child in Scotland has access to high-quality play experiences is a cause I wholeheartedly champion.

Alvina Mubonderi

Trustee / Director

I am an ambitious ACCA student and dedicated carer who brings a unique blend of sharp analytical skills and deep empathy to everything I do. While working towards my professional accounting qualification, I apply my strong organisational abilities and financial mindset to my studies and professional life. Simultaneously, my experience as a carer has developed my exceptional resilience, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, making them a highly adaptable Trustee.

Carol Murdoch

Trustee / Director

am the founder and director of Love Outdoor Learning, supporting schools and educators across Scotland and beyond to embed outdoor learning into everyday teaching and learning. A former teacher and visiting lecturer, I have worked extensively with schools, local authorities and universities, developing outdoor learning, curriculum, metaskills and learning beyond the classroom. I am passionate about ensuring children have opportunities to play, explore, take appropriate risks and develop confidence through experiences outdoors. My work has given me a strong understanding of the realities facing schools and the importance of creating environments where children can be active, curious and independent. I am delighted to join the Smart Play Network Board and bring my experience of outdoor learning, education and children's experiences to support its work in Scotland.

Fiona Kirkland

Trustee / Director

I am Head of Service at Play Scotland and have worked across the private, public and third sectors throughout my career. With a background in early years, education and leadership, I have spent many years working alongside children, families and practitioners, and I am passionate about ensuring every child has the opportunity to play, learn and thrive. I lead and develop services across Play Scotland and have played a key role in developing the Play Pedagogy Award, a national framework developed by Play Scotland, working closely with Education Scotland. I also co-wrote the SQA PDA Level 8 qualification in Pedagogy of Play and contribute to national work around children's rights, play sufficiency and professional learning. As a Trustee of Smart Play Network, I bring my experience across education, play and children's rights, together with a practical understanding of supporting change and building strong relationships. I am passionate about helping ensure that play is valued, prioritised and part of everyday life for all children.

Lauren Chalmers

Trustee / Director

I have worked in operations, business support and organisational development, with experience helping teams improve their systems, managing priorities and deliver meaningful results. Alongside my operations career, I have worked closely with children and young people through tutoring, mentoring and confidence-building support. This has shown me how important safe, inclusive and encouraging environments are in helping children learn, develop and believe in themselves. I particularly value opportunities that allow children to build confidence, form friendships and explore the world through play. As a mum of one, I understand personally how valuable play is to a child’s wellbeing, imagination and development. I am delighted to bring my professional experience, passion for supporting children and perspective as a parent to Smart Play Network and its work across Scotland.

Willie French

Trustee / Director

My entire professional working life was committed to primary school education. I completed forty years, initially as a classroom teacher, followed by twenty-seven years as a head teacher in various schools. I was fortunate to experience a rich diversity of experiences amassed over these forty years. Whilst recognising the importance of attainment and achievement as part of the school business, my priority in every post was to create a sense of community where everyone felt valued and included. During my tenure as a head teacher, I became increasingly aware that there was insufficient focus on child development, more specifically play and being outdoors. Hence, my eleven-year participation in Upstart Scotland and our campaign to raise the formal school starting age and to introduce a kindergarten stage. I am presently Chair of Upstart Scotland. I have one son and one daughter, and soon to be a grandparent of a granddaughter. I enjoy keeping fit, sport and drumming in a band.