Our Board
Billy Williamson
President of the Board
Billy was born blind and as a child went to the Sight Saving School in Dundee and became a Member of Dundee Blind & Partially Sighted Society from the age of 5!
Billy worked with Dovetail Enterprises for 18 years before his retirement at the age of 66.
Billy became a Board Member so he could give something back to the Society who he feels has looked out for him as he was growing up and even when he was working.
Billy is an avid Dundee FC supporter and keen bowls player for the Dee Club bowls section.
Mary Robertson
Vice-President of the Board
I have lived in Dundee and Fife for thirty years.
I graduated from University of Dundee with MA in Politics and Psychology.
Awarded a Post Graduate Diploma in Careers Guidance at Strathclyde University in Glasgow.
I have been a Board Member of the Society for twenty years and I am currently the Vice-President.
My introduction to the Society was through an office colleague, a member of the Society who suggested that the Board and Society would appreciate my skills and experience gained working with young people with sensory impairments.
I have found my involvement with the Society at times challenging but extremely fulfilling and rewarding.
Dave Clark
Director
Shortly after being registered as visually impaired in 2001 I was invited to join the DBPSS Board of Directors.
At that time, I had retired from my job as a Biomedical Scientist with the NHS.
Apart from the scientific aspect of the job, I was involved in administration, which included staffing matters.
Having been involved in various local and national committees, I took the opportunity to join the charity as a volunteer director, in a small way, repaying the Society’s help received in the past.
Linda Ferguson
Director
I became involved with Society in 1995 as my mother became blind and for over 25 years have been a Board Director. I have always lived in Dundee and after school (Logie Secondary/Harris Academy) I joined the TSB as a shorthand/typist followed by Dundee University as Library Assistant for several years.
In 1976 I decided to become a stay at home mum during which time I had 3 daughters worked with children group clubs and became a swimming coach.
In 1986 I returned to work as an administrative/library assistant with Dundee Careers Service. I studied HNC/HND Business Administration/Information Technology (2 years night classes) Health & Safety and rose to the position of Personal Assistant to head of North East Region (Skills Development Scotland) until I retired in 2014.
Robyn Lee
Director
Robyn is an Associate Solicitor in Blackadders Private Client team and a Notary Public.
She is a full member of The Society of Trust and Estate (STEP) practitioners having gained her Diploma in Trusts and Estates (Scotland) and achieving the highest overall mark across Scotland for her intake. She also gained a STEP excellence award for her Advanced Certificate in Trusts: Law and Practice (Scotland).
Robyn advises on wills, powers of attorney, guardianships, trusts, and inheritance tax planning.
As part of her role at Blackadders, she often attends the DBPSS building on Ward Road to meet with clients and catch up with the members of staff.
She is excited to be involved in, and contribute her expertise to, such a worthwhile charitable organisation rooted in local history but with a forward-thinking approach.
Elizabeth McGillivray
Director
Catherine Peters
Director
Alan Russell
Director
Alan graduated from St Andrews University in 1981 with an honours degree in Medieval History with Archaeology. He subsequently worked for a number of local authorities in social housing until his retirement in 2018. During that time, he managed a range of services including homelessness, repairs & maintenance, antisocial behaviour and latterly spearheaded Fife Council’s new build programme.
Voluntary sector experience
- 1994-1996 Director, Dundee YMCA.
- 1999-2023 Committee member, Hillcrest Housing Association (now Hillcrest Homes.) Chairman 2018-2023
- 1999-2018 Advisory Committee member, Fife Drugs Forum. Vice-chair 2008-2018.
- 2001-2008 Director, High School of Dundee. Chair of Health & Safety Working Group.
- 2006-2019 Director F.I.R.S.T Ltd, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation charity in Fife, Company Secretary 2006-2019 and Chair 2015-2019.
- 2023-date Director, Hillcrest Futures.
Alan was an active member and former President of Junior Chamber St Andrews and is a Senator of Junior Chamber International. He was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1980 and still retains an active interest in archaeology. Since retiring, he and his wife Margaret have moved to rural Angus, where they very much enjoy being part of a village community
Keith Thomson
Director
Keith Thomson Dip PFS BA (Hons) has been a Director and Board Member of Dundee Blind and Partially Sighted Society since October 2017. He is also a Senior Wealth Management Consultant with Blackadders Wealth Management LLP with over 35 years’ experience in the financial services industry.
He started providing independent financial advice in 1985 and joined Blackadders LLP in July 1991 to develop their financial services division, which was then demerged into Blackadders Wealth Management LLP in November 2016, which is now one of the leading independent IFA and discretionary portfolio management firms in Scotland. As a Consultant, he specialises in Investment portfolio construction, financial planning strategies, Trusts and mentoring the firm’s advisers after stepping down from his role as Director.
He was previously an external examiner for the Business and Financial Services element of the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice with the University of Dundee as well as being a tutor on the Conduct of Investment Business rules for SOLAS. He is also a mentor for Future Asset, a charity that aims to encourage girls of school age to develop an interest, and potentially a career, in the financial services industry.
Keith won the Scotsman IFA of the Year competition in 2008 and away from work, he divides his time between family, hill walking and playing golf as well as still being involved with the Round Table and Fortay clubs in Dundee.
Now that he is working on a part time basis, he has been keen to become more involved in charitable work with organisations who can benefit from his knowledge and expertise, putting something back into the local community where he’s lived since 1986. DBPSS provides a valuable service to the community and he is proud to be of assistance to the Board to continue their excellent work in this field
To contact any member of staff please telephone or use our contact form.
A warm welcome always awaits at The Society – hope to see you here soon.