John was previously the Bursar and Clerk to the Governors at Cargilfield School, the first and oldest prep school in Scotland, with 300 boys and girls enrolled from Nursery through to Form 8.  The School community includes both day pupils as well as a vibrant mix of flexi-, weekly- and weekend-boarders.

John held this position for six years between 2017 and 2023 and was responsible for all aspects of the operational management of the School, including strategy & risk management, development, finance, facilities, human resources, health & safety, IT, legal and compliance. 

Significant projects during this period included the construction of a multi-sports all weather floodlit pitch complex; the introduction of a school-wide management information system alongside a new accounting system and corresponding automation of back-office processes; introduction of new risk management processes and modernisation of Board record-keeping.

Prior to his tenure at Cargilfield, John had spent the previous 11 years as Chief Financial Officer of a major division of a global engineering business and had previously held senior finance positions in the manufacturing, retail and hospitality sectors.

John is a Business Studies graduate, qualified as an accountant with CIMA in 1998 and was awarded fellowship (FCMA) in 2006.

John is based in Edinburgh and outside of work is a qualified curling coach, holds a private pilot’s licence and sits on the committees of two flying clubs and a curling club.