Building Forward With New CEO

The Cabrach Trust is excited to welcome Jonathan Christie as their new CEO. Most recently Deputy UK Director at The Wood Foundation where he served for ten years, Jonathan is set to bring a wealth of third sector leadership experience to the role, alongside a deep belief in the power of people and communities to create positive change.

“Our ambition is one of genuine breadth and depth for the prosperity of The Cabrach building forward.” 

Jonathan Christie, Chief Executive, The Cabrach Trust

“I am humbled and excited to be taking on the role of CEO at The Cabrach Trust. For several years now, I have followed the development and activities of The Cabrach Trust with such enthral. 

Living so close to The Cabrach, the remote and spectacular beauty of the area is never lost on me. However, the opportunity to lead the Trust and deliver our vision to safeguard, celebrate, and share the rich heritage and culture of The Cabrach, bringing to life the extraordinary story of this remote part of Scotland, was an opportunity I could not have let pass me by.  

“To realise our ambition from here, we are reliant upon an incredible tapestry of interconnected projects and partners, with the local community at the heart of all that we do. In coming into this role, I take seriously our commitment to listen to our community and other stakeholders.  This is what will inform our programme of activity and, alongside the team and Board, enable all future success.

“Looking ahead, our distillery and heritage centre will be a place that supports employment, training, meaningful school & college partnership working, and so much more. It will draw visitors into The Cabrach, who in turn will leave with a deeper understanding of this area and a deepened affinity with this place. 

“Our other projects will amplify the assets of this area, contributing to The Cabrach’s unique sense of place. New pathways and revitalised local plant life and fauna will celebrate our natural environment. Our cultural activities will offer a platform for stories, the Doric language, rural skills, and music through events, and provide spaces and places for artists and writers to take up residencies, drawing inspiration from the landscape and people of the area. 

“Together, all our work and projects will nurture a wellbeing economy. Our ambition, is one of genuine breadth and depth for the prosperity of The Cabrach building forward. I am privileged to play a part in shaping The Cabrach Trust’s success.”

Grant Gordon, Chair and Founder of The Cabrach Trust, added: 

“This is a crucial time for The Cabrach Trust as we drive forward community regeneration in our area, showcasing The Cabrach’s cultural heritage, celebrating its natural environment, and revealing its role in Scotland’s rich history. Having Jonathan on board as our Chief Executive brings fresh energy as we build momentum and work hard to progress our objectives to the next level. 

“We look forward to working with Jonathan as we develop projects and attract new visitors, all contributing to building a thriving and sustainable community in The Cabrach.”