14 November 2025
This week the team at Scottish Ensemble has welcomed three new trustees to its board, bringing with them a wealth of expertise and perspectives that will help shape the organisation’s mission over the coming years.
Shannon-Latoyah Simon is a Music Relationship Manager at the British Council, where she develops classical and contemporary partnerships and programmes across the UK, Europe, and East Asia, fostering strategic music initiatives while cultivating international collaborations. Her work focuses on diversifying classical and experimental music, fostering creativity, and supporting individuals who are disadvantaged, underrepresented, or lack access to music education and opportunities. Having originally studied the Classical Guitar and Baroque Guitar at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire of Music followed by a Masters at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, she still performs actively across the classical music scene.
Anna McDonald is a PR and communications leader who launched her own consulting business after nearly a decade in integrated agencies. Originally from Canada, she moved to Scotland in 2018, and specialises in external communications strategy development, with a particular focus on safeguarding and reputation enhancement. She works with clients across Scotland, the UK, and internationally, with an expertise spanning sectors from banking and finance to retail, technology and the third sector.
Alayne Swanson is a former Sherriff of Glasgow, and prior to that that worked as a commercial litigator. She sits on a number of Boards and is a Trustee of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland’s endowment fund. Alayne lives in Glasgow and has previously been involved in fundraising work for Maggie’s, Scottish Ensemble’s Music for Wellbeing partner organisation.
Find out more about our Board at scottishensemble.co.uk/about/team