Welcoming new talent to key roles at Young Scot

Young Scot is pleased to welcome three new members of staff. Bringing experience from the charity, public and private sectors, Helen, Afusat and Gemma will play an important role in helping Young Scot grow its impact and continue delivering for young people across Scotland as it enters an exciting new chapter.

From marketing and finance to fundraising, innovation and the NHS, their diverse backgrounds reflect the breadth of expertise that helps make our work stronger - get to know each of our new colleagues below!

I’m delighted to welcome Helen, Afusat and Gemma to Young Scot. Each of them brings an extensive back catalogue of experience as well as fresh perspectives and a genuine commitment to creating positive opportunities for young people.

I'm excited to see the impact they'll make as part of our team and look forward to the ideas and energy they'll bring as we continue working with young people and partners across Scotland to make a real difference.

John Loughton, Chief Executive, Young Scot

Director of Marketing, Communications and Information Services

Helen Weeks

Helen has spent the last 20 years in marketing leadership roles across a wide portfolio of brands. After starting her career at the BBC, she spent more than a decade in the spirits industry, transforming heritage whiskies into contemporary, storytelling-led brands. Most recently, Helen has focused her energy and experience in the charity sector at Glasgow Life, responsible for the strategic and creative development and guardianship of the Glasgow Life brand and marketing leadership of its commercial sub-brand and physical activity and sport offer. Working with organisations committed to delivering a positive impact has been a driving force of Helen’s career and she is excited to be joining Young Scot at this point in our journey.  

Finance Manager

Afusat Adebayo

Afusat leads financial operations and digital transformation initiatives at Young Scot.

A dual-qualified ACA accountant (ICAEW & ICAN) with over 10 years of professional experience, Afusat has delivered financial leadership across the public sector, private organizations, and charities.

Her expertise spans strategic financial planning, management accounting, regulatory compliance (SORP FRS 102), and technology implementation.

Afusat is passionate about community empowerment and is co-founder of Edinburgh Africa Women Network (EAWN CIC). She was a Winner in the Scotland Business Awards and Finalist 2026 UK StartUp Awards.

Head of Income Generation and Partnerships

Gemma Marwick

Gemma brings a wealth of experience spanning both the NHS and the third sector. She began her career as a Nurse, specialising in Renal and Transplant Medicine before moving into Clinical Research, where she worked across a range of clinical trials in collaboration with universities and research partners. During this time, she also spent time overseas exploring different healthcare systems and approaches to patient care. 

After more than a decade in the NHS, Gemma made the move into the third sector, where she has held a number of senior leadership roles with responsibility for fundraising, income generation, charity management, and most recently insight and innovation. 

Alongside her professional role, Gemma is Vice Chair of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising's Trusts and Foundations Special Interest Group. She is currently completing the Digital Leadership Programme and is studying part-time with The Open University towards a degree in Physics and Artificial Intelligence. 

Gemma is passionate about working with organisations that create life-changing impact and is motivated by the opportunity to help them grow and thrive. Supporting meaningful causes has shaped her career, and she is excited to bring her experience to the team as Head of Income Generation and Partnerships.