The Glasgow School of Art announces the appointment of four new members to its Board of Governors. All four new governors are now fully appointed and will all be in attendance at the June Board meeting. Dr Catriona Campbell, MBE, is a renowned expert in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Artificial Intelligence design; Ms Sarah Lavers is Chief Financial Officer for Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership and the Integration Joint Board (IJB); Ms Jane Morrison-Ross is CEO of South of Scotland Enterprise; and Ms Marion Venman is Secretary to the Board and General Counsel at Scottish Power.
“We are delighted to welcome these new board members to the GSA,” says Professor Penny Macbeth, Director and Principal of The Glasgow School of Art.
“The expertise and knowledge they each bring will further broaden and enhance the strength of our Board of Directors. Their appointment reflects the reputation of The Glasgow School of Art as a global leader in creative education and research, and will positively enhance the delivery of our strategic aims for 2022-2027 and our next stages of growth.”
“It is a pleasure to welcome these new appointments to our Board of Governors, who bring with them a diverse range of skills and extensive expertise,” says Ann Priest, Chair of the Board of Governors.
“I eagerly anticipate collaborating with our new members to support the School’s commitment to its future, ensuring that the GSA remains an exceptional and inspiring environment for its students, staff, and partners.”
Dr Catriona Campbell, MBE said:
“I am truly honoured to join The Glasgow School of Art’s Board of Governors. The GSA has long been a beacon of creativity and innovation in the arts and design education, and I am excited to contribute to its mission. My expertise in technology, and especially artificial intelligence, will enable me to support the School in integrating cutting-edge technologies into its curriculum and research initiatives. I look forward to collaborating with my fellow board members, staff, and students to further enhance the School’s impact on the cultural landscape of Scotland and beyond.”
Ms Sarah Lavers said:
“As a former arts graduate who changed direction into the world of finance, I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed as an Independent Governor to The Glasgow School of Art. I am very much looking forward to the various challenges this role will present, working alongside other Governors but more importantly with and for the students. The Art School continues to embrace the rapidly changing environment we are all immersed in and is recognised both nationally and internationally as one of the leading art schools in the world, which is no mean feat. I hope that I can do justice to the role and help to ensure the continued success of the icon that is the Glasgow School of Art.”
Ms Jane Morrison Ross said:
“I am delighted to join the Board of GSA as a Lay Governor. As an arts graduate, I have long been passionate about having creativity at the heart of all we do – whether that’s business, technology or economic development. Working with GSA, the organisation at the heart of Scotland’s creative cluster, is the perfect opportunity to explore that.”
Ms Marion Venman said
“I am delighted to be appointed as a member of the Board of Governors. The Glasgow School of Art has an incredible history, and its students, staff, and alumni contribute enormously to Glasgow’s identity as a dynamic and creative city with international influence in the visual arts. I look forward to contributing to the governance of the School, working with my fellow Governors to ensure it continues to be a globally recognised centre for the visual arts and a source of great pride for Glasgow.”
A full list of current members of The Glasgow School of Art Board of Governors can be viewed on the GSA website HERE.
For any further information, please contact press@gsa.ac.uk
Notes for Editors
The Board of Governors of The Glasgow School of Art consists of a total membership of not less than 18 and not more than 25 members. The composition of the Board of Governors comprises the Chair of the Board, independent governors, staff governors, student governors, and Trade Union governors. The Director of the GSA is a governor ex officio. Independent Governors are normally appointed for a period of three years and may then be re-appointed for up to two further terms, each of which may last for up to three years.
Biographies
Dr. Catriona Campbell, MBE, is a renowned expert in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Artificial Intelligence design. She founded the international technology design firm Seren in 2001, which was acquired by EY in 2015 and is now known as EY-Seren.
Catriona has a proven track record of guiding some of the world’s most recognised brands towards digital success. Until her recent move to focus on advancing AI initiatives, she was EY’s CTIO, where she played a dual role in helping clients with technology strategy while overseeing client technology and innovation across the UK&I business. Most recently, Catriona has worked extensively with EY clients to deploy successful complex AI programs. In 2023, she was seconded to the UK Government to support the National AI strategy, with a focus on AI Safety.
Her contributions to the field have earned her a well-deserved place in the Digital Hall of Fame, and she was awarded an MBE in the UK’s ‘24 New Year’s Honours for her outstanding contributions to technology over two decades. She also received an Honorary Doctor of Science from Glasgow Caledonia University for contributions to the field of Technology. In 2020, she authored the bestselling book AI by Design and serves as the Chair of the Scottish AI Alliance, a Ministerial appointment.
Ms Sarah Lavers studied Fine Art at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen for five years before transitioning to finance, where she quickly discovered a natural aptitude for applying creativity, strategy, and vision in a different context. After qualifying as a professional accountant, she continued to nurture her artistic interests, including being awarded a short period as artist-in-residence at Highland Printmakers in Inverness.
With a diverse career spanning a range of roles in the Accounts Commission, housing, social work, and the University of Strathclyde, Sarah brings extensive financial management and governance capacity and expertise to her current role. As Chief Financial Officer for Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership and the Integration Joint Board (IJB), she oversees approximately £400 million of revenue budgets for the organisation, against a challenging backdrop of increased demand, changing demographics, and wider public sector resource constraints. Through this, Sarah plays a key role in shaping financial strategy, direction, and vision while upholding the highest standards of probity, governance, and best value, contributing to the broader goal of improving health and social care services in Scotland.
In addition to financial leadership, Sarah is responsible for several corporate functions, including contracts and commissioning, data assurance, asset management, business support, and estate and property management. Collaboration is central to this approach, with Sarah playing a pivotal role in fostering cross-organisational partnerships to drive the delivery of integrated, community-based services as well as providing support on national programmes in key areas of health and social care.
As a respected system leader with a strong commitment to staff development, Sarah has spearheaded successful mentorship and professional development programmes, helping colleagues advance their skills, abilities, and careers while strengthening organisational capacity and resilience as a direct consequence.
Outside work, Sarah is an avid cyclist and horse rider with a particular passion for dressage – a pursuit she enjoys despite what she modestly describes as limited abilities.
Ms Jane Morrison-Ross is the CEO of South of Scotland Enterprise, the newest enterprise agency in Scotland, established on 1 April 2020. SOSE is the first of Scotland’s public agencies whose legislation promotes a wider view on the economy and how it impacts all we do, with a focus on the well-being of communities, the economy, and the environment across the South.
Previously, Jane was the CEO of ScotlandIS, the industry body and cluster management organisation for the digital and technology industries in Scotland. She worked on Connecting Scotland (the SG-led digital inclusion programme), and the Digital Nation Challenge in partnership with the SG’s Digital Directorate and was awarded Digital Leaders National and Regional Champion 2020.
Prior to this, Jane was CEO of Taigh Cearsabhagh in North Uist and, after a long career as a strategy and transformation consultant with Capgemini, took on the role of Business Development Director, Capgemini Scotland.
She is a highly experienced consulting industry executive, a former strategy and transformation specialist with 25 years’ experience working across the public and private sectors. She holds board and advisory positions with several organisations, is a Fellow of the RSA, sits on the Civtech Strategic Advisory Board, the Economic Growth Programme Board, the Scottish Energy Advisory Board, and chairs Culture & Business Scotland. Jane is a graduate of ECA and Napier University.
Ms Marion Venman, LLB (Hons), DipLP, NP, D.Univ., was appointed Secretary to the Board and General Counsel at Scottish Power in October 2007. Prior to this, Marion was the Legal and Commercial Director for SP Energy Networks. Marion is responsible for the provision of all legal advice and support to the Scottish Power Board and Scottish Power’s businesses in the UK. These responsibilities include the supervision and implementation of Scottish Power’s corporate governance system and management of its corporate structure.
Prior to joining Scottish Power, Marion held various legal roles in Clyde Blowers, Seagram Distillers plc, John Wood Group plc, and completed her legal traineeship with Scottish Enterprise. She was a member of the Board of the Scottish Business Resilience Centre from 2014 to 2016 and was appointed to the Court of the University of Strathclyde in 2012.
Marion holds an LLB (Hons) Degree in Law and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Strathclyde. She has completed the Global Leadership Programme in conjunction with IMD Business School.
In 2021, Marion was conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of the University of Strathclyde for her outstanding contribution to the University Court.
