Professor James Curran, MBE
Chief Executive

James has worked in environmental science and regulation for 30 years. He has undertaken studies in hydrometeorology, numerical modelling of dispersion in marine waters, and water resources management as well as a spell of direct regulatory enforcement with agricultural and industrial businesses.

He has been a consultant to the Scottish Office and was for some years the Head of Science with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and then Head of Environmental Strategy.

In 2006 he co-founded and then ran Entrading, the UK's first comprehensive eco-store and cafe in central Glasgow. This was sold a couple of years later and he has taken up a post, again with SEPA, first as Director Science and Strategy and now as Chief Executive. James was awarded MBE for services to the environment in 2007.

David Pirie
Acting Director of Science and Strategy

This directorate includes the work of the previous Environmental Science Directorate (Chemistry, Ecology, Marine, Hydrology, and Environmental Quality), along with Radioactive Substances, Science and also Environmental Strategy.

David joined SEPA in 1996 as a Senior Chemist. He became South West Chemistry Unit Manager in 1999, Chemistry Services Manager in 2001 and Head of Chemistry in 2004.

His career has included posts with the Water Research Centre, University of Aberdeen and the Clyde River Purification Board.

David has a degree in Chemistry form the University of Aberdeen and a PhD in Environmental Chemistry from the University of Glasgow. He is a Chartered Chemist and a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

John Ford
Director of Finance and Corporate Services

John joined SEPA in 1998 as Director of Finance and Corporate Support. Previously, he was Director of Finance, Information and Contracts with Stobhill NHS Trust. His career has included senior financial and information management posts within AEA Technology, Post Office Counters Limited and local authorities.

John is a Chartered Certified Accountant and a Chartered Public Finance Accountant.

Calum MacDonald
Director of Operations

Operations directorate will include the work of the previous Environmental Protection and Improvement (EPI) Directorate, as well as SEPA’s work in Land Use Planning, and Better Regulation. The directorate will also include Environmental Policy, Radioactive Substances policy and regulation, SEPA’s Advisory work, River Basin Management Planning, National Planning (including Strategic Environmental Assessment work).

Calum joined SEPA in 1996 as Divisional Manager in the former west region. He became Environmental Regulation and Improvement Manager for Highlands, Islands & Grampian, then Environmental Development Manager in the Strategic Planning Directorate in 2001. He became Acting Director of strategic planning in 2003.

His career has included various posts with City of Glasgow Council, in environmental health and pollution control.

Calum is a member of the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland and Chairman of Council of the National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection.

Fiona Martin
Chief Officer, Organisational Development

Fiona joined SEPA in 2004 as Human Resources Manager. She was recently appointed as Chief Officer Organisational Development with responsibility for working with the Senior Management Team and Chief Executive focussing on engaging staff and leading the HR and OD transformation.

Fiona is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and has worked in a range of posts within the local government and retail sectors. Fiona is also a qualified and practising mediator.

Allan Reid
Chief Officer, Strategic Change and Government Relations

Allan joined SEPA in 1996, as Business Development Manager for the former West Region, based in East Kilbride. In 2000, he worked with Colin Bayes as Depute ERIM for South East, before taking up the post of Head of National Environmental Protection and Improvement. From 2008, Allan has been working on SEPA’s change agenda, with special responsibilities for better regulation strategy, Environmental Clean Technologies (ECT), Business and Enterprise and Government Relations.

Previous posts have included Marine Science management and a variety of regulatory roles across central and southern Scotland.

Allan holds an MBA and is a member of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management and a Chartered Environmentalist.