New appointments bring fresh perspectives to Young Scot’s Board
Young Scot is delighted to welcome Flynn Mooney and Paula McLeay to its Board, bringing fresh perspectives and a shared commitment to improving opportunities and outcomes for young people.
Currently studying Politics and Gaelic at the University of Glasgow, Flynn becomes Young Scot's youngest-ever trustee. His journey with the organisation began through its Gaelic and Scots Panel, which helped shape the Scottish Languages Bill (2025). Since then, Flynn has continued to be involved in Young Scot initiatives, including the Truth About Youth report launch and BiteBack's Scotland launch, building connections across the youth and charity sectors.
A passionate advocate for Scotland's languages and culture, Flynn's experience reflects the importance of ensuring young people's perspectives are represented in the decisions and conversations that shape their future.
Flynn said:
Being involved with Young Scot has been a really formative experience for me. My first project was the Gaelic and Scots Panel, and I still remember going to Parliament independently to watch the Scottish Languages Bill pass. I can definitely pinpoint that as an important moment in shaping my journey so far. Becoming a trustee feels like a really exciting opportunity to continue contributing to an organisation that has already given me so much insight and experience.
Paula brings extensive experience across the third and public sectors, having held senior roles with Children in Scotland, COSLA and the City of Edinburgh Council, before taking up her current position as Programme Director of Places for Growth at the Cabinet Office.
Her career has spanned policy development, community planning, poverty reduction, climate strategy and health and social care, alongside working with government at European, local, Scottish and UK levels. Her current role involves leading transformational change across UK Government departments, bringing particularly valuable insight into public policy, governance and organisational development.
Paula said:
Young Scot's mission and vision resonate with me personally. Society has a duty to support young people to build happy and successful lives, but they should also be championed as the voice of a generation that can help fix the challenges we face. The creativity, energy and innovation young people bring is an asset that needs to be nurtured and encouraged by an organisation like Young Scot.
I'm really excited by the opportunity to help Young Scot continue to go from strength to strength and remain a stable but critical part of the Scottish landscape. As a mother, I want to help ensure Scotland is a fair, inclusive and constantly improving country where my children and all young people, can build happy and rewarding lives.
Their appointments are being celebrated during Trustees’ Week, which recognises the contribution trustees make to charities and organisations across the UK.
Young Scot Chief Executive John Loughton, said:
Trustees’ Week is a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate the people who give their time and expertise to help shape the future of organisations like Young Scot. We're incredibly pleased to welcome Flynn and Paula to our Board. Having a young person's perspective directly represented in our decision-making is hugely important, while Paula's depth of experience and understanding of policy will be invaluable as we continue to deliver real impact for young people in Scotland.
Young Scot Chair Elma Murray, added:
I am thrilled and delighted to welcome Flynn and Paula to the Young Scot Board. Strong governance starts with bringing together people with diverse experiences, perspectives and expertise, all united by a shared purpose. I am excited to see what Flynn and Paula will bring to Young Scot and their appointments reflect our commitment to listening to young people and ensuring their voices help shape the future of Young Scot.