The success of Merchiston is built on strong leadership, clear vision and effective governance.
Our executive team brings experience across education, pastoral care, boarding and academic excellence, working closely with pupils, staff and families to shape an exceptional school experience. Supporting them is our Board of Governors, whose diverse professional expertise provides independent oversight, strategic guidance and long-term stewardship of the School. Together, they ensure Merchiston remains true to its values, ambitious in its vision and focused on providing an outstanding education for every pupil.
Executive Team
Huw began his teaching career at St Edward’s School, Oxford, where he spent ten years as a teacher and Head of Department. He then moved to St John’s School, Leatherhead, serving as both a Boarding Housemaster and Head of Boarding. For the past six years, he has been Deputy Headmaster at Warminster School, where he has played a key role in the school’s development and day-to-day life.
Alongside his professional experience, Huw holds a Master of Education degree from St Edmund’s College, Cambridge, focusing on how schools can nurture resilience, an area of personal and professional interest. In addition to his career in education, he played international hockey for 16 years, during which time he represented Wales in two Commonwealth Games.
Pippa graduated with a BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering from the University of Reading. She previously worked for the Consumers Association & Which? Ltd where she trained in Management Accounting, the Research Institute for Consumer Affairs as Finance Manager before becoming a Bursar at Cargilfield School in 2012, and Merchiston Castle School in 2017. Pippa is currently a Governor of The Compass School in East Lothian and her youngest son is a Merchistonian (2021).
Dale studied Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh, completing both an undergraduate degree and a PhD. He later spent five years in industry researching pharmaceutical applications of DNA before moving into education.
He joined Merchiston Castle School in 2006, where he has developed a strong interest in skills development, assessment, and the use of data to enhance learning. He values the school’s supportive environment and its impact on student success.
Outside of work, he enjoys powerlifting, having stepped back from football due to injury, and spending time with his family.
Danny was educated at a small school in St Bees near the Lake District before studying at University of Cambridge, where he was sponsored by the Royal Marines. He later served with Lothian and Borders Police before moving into teaching.
He spent five years at The King’s School, Canterbury, teaching French and Spanish alongside a range of pastoral and co-curricular roles. He joined Merchiston Castle School in 2016 as House Parent of Laidlaw North and Teacher of French, later becoming Deputy Head (Wellbeing) with responsibility for Outdoor Education.
He has a strong interest in outdoor pursuits, particularly climbing, mountaineering, and paddlesports, and enjoys fell running and time in the mountains of Scotland, Cumbria, and Europe.
Board of Governors
Robert is a distinguished and widely respected professional in the hospitality industry. He has held several high-profile leadership roles, including CEO of Hotel du Vin & Malmaison, CEO of De Vere Hotels, and UK CEO of Virgin Active.
Currently, Robert serves as a consultant and advisor to Terra Firma Capital Partners, supporting its German hotel group, Welcome Hotels. He is also an advisor to Dobbies Garden Centres, a Board Advisor to Imbiba, the hospitality growth platform, and a Non-Executive Director at Obvlo.
Robert is the owner of The Cookie Jar, a renowned boutique hotel located in Alnwick, Northumberland.
He holds an Honorary Doctorate from Robert Gordon University, his alma mater, and is a Freeman of the City of London.
Ian McCarlie is a commercial lawyer based in Edinburgh and a partner in an international law firm. He has worked and specialised in the energy sector throughout his career and is recognised as a leader in his field (L500 and Chambers).
Ian’s son was educated at Merchiston and thoroughly enjoyed his experience on both the academic and sporting front.
Ian is also a trustee of Make 2nds Count, a UK charity that helps and supports patients diagnosed with incurable secondary breast cancer. Ian enjoys sport, current affairs and the great outdoors with his family and two labradors.
Jay is a Merchistonian who attended the school from 1991 to 1998. Following Merchiston, he attended the Scottish Agricultural College in Aberdeen gaining a degree in Business Management.
Jay, along with his wife Carole, own and operate Dowhill Farm, Turnberry. The farm is made up of 350 acres of mixed cereals, specialising in the famous Ayrshire Potato and includes a farm shop and restaurant. In 2007, Jay diversified and purchased Seafield Stores and Post office in Ayr, and then in 2012 a new Pharmacy contract was gained and opened up within the shop. In total Jay and Carole now employ 50 people across their businesses.
Jay has business interests in renewables including solar, wind and battery storage. His son attends Merchiston and his daughter attends St George’s in Edinburgh.
An experienced Lloyd’s Broker, Kelly spent 17 years at JLT Group (formerly Lloyd Thompson Ltd), specialising in global (re)insurance placements and alternative risk transfer solutions. As a Partner she was responsible for the design and placement of major property and casualty programmes into the London, European and North American insurance markets.
Since relocating to Edinburgh, she has been actively involved in community sport, helping to establish a new youth rugby club in 2018 for players aged 13–18, a joint venture between Heriot’s Rugby Club and Stew-Mel RFC, and serves on the junior committee at Carlton Cricket Club since 2020.
John is a proud Merchistonian, having attended the School from 1975 to 1979. Following his time at Merchiston, he earned a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Aberdeen. He began his career as a Criminal Defence Lawyer in Glasgow and Edinburgh before moving into the corporate sector as Company Secretary and Legal Director at British Aerospace (BAe) Commercial Aircraft, based at the company’s manufacturing facility in Prestwick, Scotland.
In 1993, John transferred to BAe’s North American headquarters in Northern Virginia. He later joined Aviation Capital Group, a leading U.S. commercial aircraft leasing company, where he spent 20 years in senior management roles, based in both Newport Beach, California, and Singapore. During his time in the United States, he also earned an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
John has one son and remains an enthusiastic sportsman, with a particular passion for golf and rugby.
Caroline was educated at Trent College in Derbyshire and holds a degree from the University of Exeter. She brings extensive experience in the field of Human Resources, having worked within the People function of several large corporate organisations. Her career has included significant time in recruitment at Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs, and more recently, she has served as a Senior People Consultant at PwC.
Caroline is both a former and current parent at Merchiston, offering her valuable insight into the school community from multiple perspectives.
