Meet the Team

Meet our Executive Director, Kaileigh Brown. Since joining the organisation in 2007 as a Clerical Officer, Kaileigh has grown with the company and brings a deep understanding of our mission, values, and the community we serve. With nearly two decades of experience across a variety of roles, gaining first-hand insight into both the operational and strategic sides of our work.

Now serving as Executive Director, Kaileigh leads with dedication, experience, and a strong commitment to delivering successful projects for our communities. Kaileigh continues to guide and support our team towards new opportunities while honouring the values that have shaped our success to date.

Kaileigh is keen to engage with organisations and individuals to discuss their experiences. If you would like to get in touch, please do so by emailing: kaileigh@tact.scot

Meet Lauren, TACT’s Office Manager. I first joined TACT through a six-month Community Job Scotland programme as a temporary Administrative Assistant. That opportunity led to a permanent role, and 15 years later, I’m proud to still be part of the team – now in the position of Office Manager, a role I truly enjoy.

I oversee the day-to-day running of the office, manage Health & Safety, and coordinate the distribution of our e-bulletin. I’m also your go-to contact for Saltire Awards as well as any general enquiries.

My name is John Beattie and I commenced employment with TACT in June 2022 as their Community Asset Transfer (CAT) Development Officer. As part of my role, I am also a member of North Ayrshire Council’s (NAC) Community Asset Team.  

My main role is to offer advice on and support community groups through the CAT process in North Ayrshire. Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act (CEA) 2015 provides a legal right for eligible community groups and organisations to request – either ownership or long-term lease – any asset owned by public bodies in Scotland, such as local authorities, Scottish Police Authority, NHS and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, to name a few (a full list can be found in schedule 3 of the CEA 2015).

If you are a community group or organisation that is interested in community ownership, and you have identified an asset, then please get in touch and we can discuss options that are available to you. I can also signpost groups and organisations to other routes to community ownership outside of the CAT process if they are more suitable. For example, if the asset you have identified is owned by a private individual or company, and has been listed for sale, there are other options available to you, such as Community Right To Buy.

Please get in touch if you wish to discuss the CAT process or other routes to community ownership in North Ayrshire.

Cheryl is leading the Positive Pathways project in partnership with Your Next Move North Ayrshire, supporting people to take real steps towards employment through the power of volunteering. With years of experience working in the community, Cheryl understands the barriers people can face when trying to get into work — and how the right support at the right time can make all the difference.

Positive Pathways offers a fresh, hands-on approach to volunteering, designed to build confidence, develop practical workplace skills, and open the door to new opportunities. Volunteers get tailored support to help them move closer to employment, whether that’s through accredited training, on-the-job experience, or personal development that boosts motivation and self-belief.

“I know from personal experience how life-changing volunteering can be,” Cheryl says. “It helped me build the skills and confidence I needed to get into work, and now I want to help others do the same. Positive Pathways is all about giving people a chance to shine, grow, and take those next steps into the world of work — at a pace that’s right for them.”

I joined the organisation in 2005, starting off as sessional cover for reception then progressing to take on various roles in the organisation. 

As Lead Capacity Building Officer, I am part of the team that supports local groups and organisations with constitutions, training, policies, funding and so much more. This is a great way for me to use my previous roles within the Volunteer Centre and TACT and take what I’ve learned to help support our sector. Working with people has always been my remit be that volunteers, patients or staff.

We provide groups with the opportunity to come together through our Third Sector Forum where we arrange for speakers to share their knowledge and expertise on a wide range of topics that support and enhance the sector. I have recently undertaken training to do Independent Examinations to provide further support to our amazing third sector.

I joined TACT in 2011 as an Administrator and Independent Examiner after transferring from North Ayrshire CVS. Since then, my role has grown and evolved – I began by helping volunteers find suitable placements in local organisations, and eventually moved into my current role as a Capacity Building Officer.

I’ve been supporting the voluntary sector for many years now, helping groups with a wide range of needs including constitutions, governance, training, events, promotion, and accounts – pretty much everything in between! I really enjoy working closely with community groups and have built many strong relationships over the years.

I continue to act as an Independent Examiner and have recently supported members of the community to become examiners themselves.

If you’re unsure whether I can help, just get in touch – I’m always happy to have a chat and see how we can support you.

Ann has been part of the organisation since 2003, dedicating much of that time to delivering training for both individuals and organisations. Ann holds an Honours Degree in Social Science, a University Diploma in Volunteer Management, and an SQA Assessor’s Award.

As a member of the Third Sector Interface Team, Ann supports organisations in developing the resources they need to make the most of their volunteers – ensuring benefits not only for the organisation itself, but also for the volunteers and the communities they serve. She brings extensive expertise in Volunteer Management, as well as in the policies and procedures that underpin all aspects of volunteering.

Alongside her work with organisations, she also assists volunteers in finding suitable placements and helps create meaningful volunteering opportunities.

Gemma brings energy, empathy, and a wealth of experience to her role with Positive Pathways, the employability programme delivered within The Ayrshire Community Trust. Since joining in June 2023, she has been dedicated to helping people unlock their potential, boost their confidence, and take positive steps towards training, volunteering and employment.

Known for her creative ideas and hands-on approach, Gemma thrives in a role where no two days are the same. She is a trained STEPS to Excellence facilitator; supports participants to break down barriers, strengthen their skills, and move forward with purpose.

As the newly appointed Finance Officer at The Ayrshire Community Trust I bring experience from the private, public and most recently the third sector to support the organisation and the fab work being done in the community by team TACT.

With a background in finance, payroll and HR I am committed to continuing to deliver a smooth running finance service and working to provide reliable, friendly support. As a volunteer with a local book festival and having recently benefitted from some TACT workplace training I am delighted to be joining the team.

A natural liaison person connecting people behind our third-sector employability partnerships in North Ayrshire. With a career ranging from customer service, marketing, events, retail operations, to a stint in public health, she’s got the toolkit – and the tenacity – to make an impact.

She’s a natural connector, and never afraid to ask the tough questions. Whether she’s building capacity or building bridges, Linda brings energy, insight, and a healthy dose of get-it-done attitude.

Outside the office, she’s powered by passport stamps, music, loyal friends, and one very opinionated dog who’s convinced they run the show!

Hi, I am Michelle, the Project Co-ordinator for the Kindness Krew. I joined the team in October 2023 and feel so lucky to be part of such a caring community.

I love connecting with people and doing what I can to make a difference, whether that’s helping someone feel less isolated, supporting their mental health, or just bringing a little bit of kindness into their day.

Hannah recently joined the Positive Pathways team as an Employability Placement Worker and has spent over four years working within her community. She is passionate about helping people recognise their strengths and achieve their full potential and is pleased to join forces with Cheryl and Gemma in the Positive Pathways team and to play a role in the wider TACT team’s work.

Hannah is truly passionate about helping people on their journey to employment. She understands that everyone’s path and experiences are unique, and that’s completely okay. She is eager to support and guide individuals as they take the next steps toward achieving their employment goals.

My role is Advocacy Officer, within the new Money Max Partnership Project. This new Project will collaborate with other North Ayrshire 3rd Sector Organisations. The Project remit is to reduce child poverty, improve people’s circumstances, and develop financial resilience. This Project is an exciting addition to the breadth of services TACT already offer to residents of North Ayrshire.
I bring to the role over 20 years of knowledge and experience in relation to income maximisation, support and guidance. I am excited for the challenge ahead, and hope to make a difference to the people of North Ayrshire.

Passionate and enthusiastic, Sarah has almost 20 years’ experience working in roles that have a positive impact on the community. Her experience is mostly made up of employability, group work, and charity project management. She has a COSCA counselling certificate and a social sciences degree committed to using her skills and knowledge in TACT’s new pilot project ‘Money Max’, which is targeted to reducing child poverty across North Ayrshire.