Our Board - Donaldson Group

Simon King

Non-Executive Director, James Donaldson Group Ltd

Simon most recently served as a Non-Executive Director for Headlam Group plc. and has extensive experience in the construction sector having served on the Travis Perkins Executive Board and as CEO of Wickes. Prior to that, Simon worked at Walmart as the Chief Operating Officer of Asda and served as CEO at Savola Group Middle East. He has previously held CEO positions for Tesco in Turkey and South Korea, where he led the joint venture with Samsung. Before his role at Tesco South Korea, Simon served as Chief Commercial Officer for Tesco in central Europe.

Simon joined the Donaldson Group Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director on 1 July 2020 and is the Designated Non-Executive Director for Workforce Engagement. Simon brings over 35 years’ experience with a strong focus on leading international teams, building products distribution experience, change management, retail and distribution and marketing.

Simon also currently serves as Non-Executive Chairman at Troy (UK) Limited and Chairman at Smoking Lobster Restaurants (Isle of Wight).

Paula Richardson

Chief People Officer, James Donaldson Group Ltd

Paula is the Chief People Officer of Donaldson Group having recently joined the group in December 2023. Paula brings with her a wealth of experience to the role. She joins from National Oilwell Varco where she worked in a number of senior HR roles, including most recently as Senior Director, Global Talent Acquisition. Paula also has a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resources Management (CIPD) With Distinction from Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University.

Alyson Donaldson

Chief Financial Officer, James Donaldson Group Ltd

Alyson joins the Group from leading global veterinary care provider, IVC Evidensia, where she was UK & ROI Chief Financial Officer. Here she was responsible for the UK-wide finance operations for the billion-pound business, with a focus on transformation and performance improvement. A chartered accountant, Alyson started her career at KPMG LLP on their graduate training programme. She graduated from Stirling University with a first-class degree in accounting and economics, and in 2020 she completed a post-graduate course in Leadership, Strategy and Innovation with Napier University.

Alyson is the first female Donaldson family member to join the Group in an executive role, in its 163-year history.

David Mansell

Group Strategy Director, James Donaldson Group Ltd

David is the Managing Director of MGM Timber (Scotland) and looks after the organisational structure, health and safety of the business and overall corporate strategy. Despite his resistance to admit it sometimes, he’s a qualified accountant. So when he ended up at MGM as a Financial Controller after completing his degree, he wasn’t quite prepared for the driving and warehouse duties he often found himself involved in! Nonetheless, MGM Timber was just one year old when he started and he stayed with the business to see it grow and prosper, progressively becoming Managing Director. Away from work, he likes spending his holidays in Italy and catching up with friends and family.

Luke Roberts

Managing Director, Donaldson Timber Engineering Ltd, Donaldson Door Systems Ltd

Luke has been with DTE since October 2007 and Business Development Director since 2017. With over 20 years of experience in the Timber industry and a strong emphasis on developing people, Luke was the natural choice to become DTE’s new Managing Director. Luke and his young family enjoy spending weekends walking in the Shropshire Hills close to their home. Luke and his wife also enjoy cooking for friends and family, it’s not uncommon to have 20 round for Sunday lunch!

Steve Galbraith

Managing Director, MGM Timber Ltd, Nu-Style Products Ltd, James Donaldson Insulation Ltd

Steve joined Nu-Style Products in November 2018 as Commercial Director and became Managing Director in April 2019. Before joining the business, he worked for a multi-national distributor to the building industry for 20 years, starting as Internal Sales before enjoying his time in External Sales. In 2008 he moved into operational positions finishing with multi-site responsibility across the north of Scotland.

Away from work Steve likes to spend time with his young family! However, when time allows he likes to run (well jog!) to keep the weight off but, his real passion is for golf, which he recently returned to after several years in “semi-retirement” due to family commitments.

Mark Murphy

Chief Risk Officer, James Donaldson Group Ltd

Mark started at Donaldson Group in 1986 as a management trainee. Throughout his three decades with the Group, Mark has taken on a variety of roles, including production assistant, quality assurance representative, stock manager and mill foreman. He then moved into systems management firstly as integrated systems manager, and then Head of Occupational Risk and Compliance Management.

Taking on the role of Chief Risk Officer in October 2022, he will continue to support the expansion of the Group into a more diverse product range and service offering through the ongoing delivery of a risk management strategy, as well as continue to identify and mitigate risks to make the business more resilient and more secure for stakeholders, and especially for colleagues.

Mark has an MSc in Quality Assurance and throughout his time with the Group, has led many advancements and improvements.

In his spare time, he enjoys walking his rottweiler dogs and he even runs a Facebook group for rottweilers. He also enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, and wood turning as well as holidays in the UK with friends who also own rottweiler dogs.

Graham Johnston

Chief Executive Officer, Donaldson Retail & Distribution, James Donaldson Group Ltd

Graham is the CEO of the Retail & Distribution division within Donaldson Group and brings with him excellent experience optimising multiple customer channels for globally-recognised brands.

Prior to joining Donaldson Group in 2022, he spent 18 months with ASDA where he was senior director of omnichannel customer support, running a large UK and international operation alongside delivering a technology and cultural transformation programme to provide an innovative customer experience for millions of customers, across multiple channels.

He also spent a decade at Hutchison 3G UK (Three), where he was most recently head of omnichannel, responsible for the creation, deployment, and delivery of a strategy to provide best-in-class customer experience across online, app, retail, contact centres, and indirect channels.

Graham is responsible for leading the Retail & Distribution division of the business, which includes MGM Timber, James Donaldson Insulation, Nu-Style Products, Perform Panel and Plane & Simple.
He is a self-proclaimed tech enthusiast with a particular interest in how technology can provide innovative ways to transform the customer experience and drive commercial value.

When he’s not working, Graham enjoys spending time with family and friends including spending time on the side-lines of his son’s various sports games. He also enjoys watching football, playing golf, snowboarding and travelling.

Neil Donaldson

Non Executive Director, James Donaldson Group Ltd

Scott was the Group Managing Director of the James Donaldson Group Ltd Group of Companies for eight years before stepping down in April 2020. Scott’s tenure saw the Donaldson Group of businesses double in turnover to over £200M with several consecutive years of record profitability. He was the first non family member to head up the Group, previously being Managing Director of James Donaldson Timber and MGM. A member of the Young Presidents Organisation, Scott didn’t just dive into the Donaldson Group – he is also a ‘retired’ skydiver with 128 jumps under his belt! When he isn’t working, he has a lovely Hungarian Vizsla – the furry member of the family who takes up most of he and his wife’s spare time.

Iain Torrance

Managing Director, James Donaldson Timber Ltd

Iain is the Managing Director of James Donaldson Timber and has been working in the timber trade since the day of his 18th birthday back in 1984. His role is to develop the corporate strategy for JDT and ensure the organisational structure, health and safety procedures and finances are there to support it. Continuing his trend of making career decisions on big birthdays he started as MD of JDT on his 40th birthday in May 2006, and has therefore been with us for over 10 years. His professional accomplishments extend beyond the Donaldson Group, as he is currently President of the Scottish Timber Trade Association and past Chairman of the National Softwood Division of the TTF. And it seems work projects aren’t enough for Iain, as he’s currently working on a two storey extension to his house and a four car garage!

Colin Rutherford

Non-Executive Director, James Donaldson Group Ltd

Colin is Chairman or Non-Executive Director at a number of public and private companies in the UK and overseas. A chartered accountant, he holds positions in building products, education, healthcare, leisure, oil services, pharmaceuticals, property and retail. He founded RMD which was acquired by Deloitte in 1999, and was formerly Chairman of Eurosales Finance PLC and Midas Capital PLC. He joined James Donaldson Group Ltd as a Non-Executive Director over 25 years ago, bringing his years of insight and experience to the table.

Arlene Cairns

Chief Financial Officer, James Donaldson Group Ltd

Arlene is our Chief Financial Officer. Prior to Donaldson Group she was the Chief Finance Operating Officer at Aviva plc responsible for leading Global Finance Operations and Transformation. Prior to this Arlene has held several senior Global Finance, Strategy & Consulting roles across the UK, Ireland and Australia working for Alliance Trust Savings, Westpac Institutional Bank, Allied Irish Bank, RSA and Zurich Financial Services and EY.

Additionally, Arlene was a Board Director for the Homeless charity Social Bite and specifically part of the team to deliver the Social Bite Communities village in Edinburgh in 2018.

In her spare time Arlene loves to spend time with her husband and two daughters, travelling overseas and is an avid yogi to balance it all!

Michael Donaldson

Executive Chairman, James Donaldson Group Ltd

Michael (Mike for short) is the Executive Chairman for James Donaldson Group Ltd. He started working for the Donaldson Group in 2003 and is the 6th generation of the Donaldson family to work for the business. He was the first person to graduate from Napier University with their new MSc in Timber Industry Management and started his career on the ‘shop floor’ for Donaldson Timber Engineering. Since then, he has worked with 3 of the groups 5 trading companies and therefore has an excellent grasp on the companies that form the group. When he’s not working, he’s spending time with his wife and his three children. The question is, will they be the 7th generation to be part of the JDS legacy? We like to think so!

Les Calder

Chief Technology Officer, James Donaldson Group Ltd

Before Joining Donaldson Group, Les spent 18 Years managing and transforming IT organisations in the FMCG world. Most recently 8 years with Devro food casings, as IT director bringing together 4 separate IT organisations in to one group wide function and overhauling the IT applications landscape including an ERP roll out. Before this he spent 10 years in Procter & Gamble in various IT management roles culminating in managing IT for the Central Europe, Middle East & Africa Baby Care business. Outside of work, Les is a director of a homeless charity, enjoys running 10K’s and half marathons to keep fit and spending time with his young family.

Neil Donaldson

Non-Executive Director, James Donaldson Group Ltd

Neil is one of the timber industry’s most experienced professionals. He is the fifth generation of the Donaldson family to be part of the business. For over 40 years he has been part of the success story of James Donaldson Group Ltd. Having held numerous high profile Directorships throughout his career, Neil is currently Chairman of Baillie Gifford Shin Nippon. He also serves on the Committee at the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. A passionate salmon fisherman, Neil’s interests also include golf, skiing and his family.

Gerry Watson

Chief Executive Officer of Donaldson Interiors

As well as being CEO of Donaldson Interiors, Gerry Watson has also been the Managing Director of Kitchens International for the last 28 years, which he co-founded in 1994 along with Paul O’Brien.

After the acquisition of KI by the Donaldson Group in June 2021 and the creation of the interiors division, Gerry took on the role of CEO of this division in February 2022.

Gerry started his working career with a Timber importing and sawmilling business (and so he feels he has now gone full circle!) After working in that business for 4 years, he was then given the opportunity to run an existing retail kitchen showroom and develop them into the contract market which is how he was introduced to the kitchen business. He then moved onto to Magnet as branch manager for one of the largest branches in the UK, and a few years later co-founded KI.

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his partner, kids and grandkids, as well as playing the odd game of golf, cycling and walking.

Rod Allan

Managing Director, Donaldson Timber Systems Ltd

Rod is the Managing Director of Donaldson Timber Systems, formerly know as Stewart Milne Timber Systems, having joined in November 2017 before the business joined the Donaldson Group in December 2021.

Rod brings with him a wealth of experience both domestically and internationally. Most recently, he was an Executive Director with Havelock Europa Plc, the interiors, furniture manufacturer and contractor. Rod also spent 15 years as a board director of Metsawood UK Ltd including 7 years as Managing Director. He has worked internationally with both Havelock and Metsa and with spells at Scottish and Newcastle Breweries and as a consultant with Quattro Consult in Edinburgh.

During his time at Metsawood, Rod served on the board of the Centre for Timber Engineering and Edinburgh Napier University and whilst at Havelock, he was active within the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

Suzanne George

Chief Marketing Officer, James Donaldson Group Ltd

Suzanne George is the Chief Marketing Officer for Donaldson Group and is responsible for Brand, Marketing & Communications. Since joining the group in April 2021, her role involves development and delivery of Group and Portfolio Brand & Marketing strategy, Group Marketing and Ecommerce teams

Suzanne is an experienced Brand, Marketing & Board member for companies including Diageo, Kellogg’s and Pepsico. She also founded the brand and digital agency, Denvir, to work with ambitious, values lead businesses. She is now fortunate to work on a number of Boards reflecting her passion for achieving results across great values driven businesses, entrepreneurship and charity, including being a trustee for Cancer Support Scotland as well as a fellow of the Marketing Society.

In her spare time, she likes to spend her time with family, friends and her dog; walking by the sea or up a hill – preferably with a good restaurant at the end of it!

Dorothy Lowry

Chief People Officer, James Donaldson Group Ltd

Dorothy is the Chief People Officer of Donaldson Group having joined the group in September 2020. Prior to this, Dorothy was the Group HR Director for Stock Spirits Plc which operates across Eastern Europe. Dorothy has also held several HR Director roles in financial services and manufacturing, with responsibility for North America, Central and Eastern Europe and Australia.

Previously, Dorothy was a Non-Executive Director for the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and she is currently a trustee for Scottish Sports Futures – a charity which supports children and young adults into education and work through sport.

Outside of work, Dorothy enjoys spending time with her husband and two girls, keeping fit and going on holidays!

Alex Goodfellow

Chief Executive Officer, Donaldson Offsite, James Donaldson Group Ltd

Alex is the CEO of Donaldson Offsite, bringing with him 38 years of experience in House Building and Timber Frame Manufacturing.

Becoming CEO of Donaldson Offsite in January 2022, his role is to develop and grow the businesses that sit within the Donaldson Offsite (DO) division, as well as use his wider industry experience to support the use of timber in the growth of the Offsite market in the house building and construction industries.

Prior to joining Donaldson Group as part of Donaldson Timber Systems in December 2021, Alex had spent 23 years as part of Stewart Milne Group, occupying various roles including Technical Director, Managing Director for Stewart Milne Timber Systems (SMTS) and Managing Director of Stewart Milne Homes, before joining Stewart Milne Group main board as Group Managing Director for SMTS in 2011.

Alex is the current Chair of Confederation of Timber Industries (CTI) since 2021 and previous Chair and current board member of Structural Timber Association (STA).

In his free time, he is a keen golfer and enjoys spending time with his wife of 32 years, Linsay and his two grown up kids, Anna and Liam.

Pamela Scott

Non-Executive Director, James Donaldson Group Ltd

Pamela is currently Global Operational Excellence Director at Diageo, having held several senior leadership positions across the global beverage alcohol organisation, including technical, innovation, packaging operations, HR and global transformation areas.

Pamela joined the Donaldson board in February 2019 and in addition to her current responsibilities at Diageo, Pamela brings extensive skills in leadership and strategic thinking from experience covering the end to end supply chain in a European and Global context.

Pamela is also on the Board of Directors of North British Distillery; a Non-Executive Director of Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association and a trustee for the Big Hearts Community Trust.

In her free time, Pamela loves to spend time with her family and enjoys music, outdoor life and travel.

George Morris

Non Executive Director, James Donaldson Group Ltd

George Morris trained as a corporate lawyer and after taking an MBA in Melbourne, joined the family business Morris and Spottiswood in 1996. His name isn’t a coincidence though! The company was founded in 1925 by George’s Grandfather. He brought his business knowledge and expertise to the boardroom table in January 2015, when he joined the group as a Non-Executive Director, also becoming a member of the board. When he’s not round the table, he can be found golfing or fishing.

Andrew Donaldson

CEO, James Donaldson Group Ltd

Andrew joined the family business in 2010 and is the sixth generation of the Donaldson family to be part of the business. Andrew took over as CEO in April 2020 and previous to that was Group Finance Director. Andrew’s other roles within the Group include; Commercial Director of MGM Timber and then Commercial Director of James Donaldson Timber. He is passionate about the business and its employees. Prior to joining the family business, he graduated from the University of Aberdeen and joined KPMG where he qualified as a chartered accountant. A keen sportsman, he likes to play golf and rugby fives and can even be found participating in triathlons. When he’s not working, he’s planning his next trip – as his aim is to visit every country in the world with his wife Alyson.

Meet our Board

Let's make it happen

Simon King

Paula Richardson

Alyson Donaldson

David Mansell

Luke Roberts

Steve Galbraith

Mark Murphy

Graham Johnston

Neil Donaldson

Iain Torrance

Colin Rutherford

Arlene Cairns

Michael Donaldson

Les Calder

Neil Donaldson

Gerry Watson

Rod Allan

Suzanne George

Dorothy Lowry

Alex Goodfellow

Pamela Scott

George Morris

Andrew Donaldson