Management team

Celine Sinclair

Chief Executive

Celine has been our Chief Executive since 2006, and leads The Yard with dynamism and passion. Celine has a long association with The Yard, having been on our Board of Directors before taking the reins as Chief Executive. Celine represents The Yard and disability interests on a number of committees and networks. She began her career at the BBC World Service before returning to education to complete an MSc in Public Relations. Most recently before The Yard, Celine worked in communications for Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and YouthLink Scotland.

Celine has led the drive for a long-term strategy of service expansion balanced by the necessity to safeguard and improve outcomes for existing service users. She has been instrumental in growing the skills and diversity of The Yard's Board. Celine is a powerful influencer of external strategic thinking in local and national government, and in academic circles. In 2017, Celine was awarded Leading Light at the SCVO Scottish Charity Awards, as well as the 2018 Director of the Year at the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Business Awards and Director of the Year - Small Business at the 2018 IoD Scotland Director of the Year Awards.

In 2017, Celine contributed a chapter on inclusion to the Postcards from Scotland publication, Working for Equality: Policy, Politics, People.

Jenny MacDonald

Director of Development

Jenny leads on our Dundee capital appeal development and all income generation activities at The Yard, with a fundraising target of over £1 million for 2018. As part of our senior management team, she is responsible for leading the strategic direction and growth of both fundraising and communications. Prior to her role at The Yard, Jenny was Head of Fundraising at Fairbridge in Scotland, so she has a clear passion and understanding of the needs of the youth sector. Jenny has also been a Trustee of Venture Scotland and is currently a Board member of Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC).

Rachel Mathers

Director of Operations

Rachel has worked at The Yard since 2014 and has been the Director of Operations since 2019. She heads up our play and operations teams, ensuring our current services are of the highest possible quality, and taking a strategic view on new sites and services. Rachel has worked and volunteered in the play sector for over 15 years, and has for the last nine concentrated on children’s rights and play for disabled children. She has an MSc in Childhood Studies, and a Postgraduate Qualification in Playwork Leadership and Management. She has worked in play and youth work all over the UK and Ireland, with her career covering areas such as adventure play, respite services and advocacy. Rachel is passionate about children’s rights, and ensuring all children have access to high quality, child-centred play services. Rachel has previously been a Trustee and Secretary of Baltic Street Adventure Playground and is currently a Board member of the International Play Association (IPA) Scotland.