A Day In The Life

Gillian Currie

Posted 01 April 2015

New York Program

September 2003 Intake

Gillian Currie (September 2003 - New York), graduate of Heriot Watt University, last year, left the bright lights of Aberdeen city and the Oil and Gas sector (where she had worked as Group FC for a number of years) for a move to the countryside and, with a greater appreciation of all things rural joined a large Estate with numerous agricultural and residential properties, from which it runs various trainee and scholarship programmes. For someone with an accountancy background, I am very lucky as a typical day doesn't involve too much time in front of spreadsheets, although just enough time that I don't miss them too much...

Morning: I typically get into the office about 9AM (which still feels like the middle of the day after years of 60+ hour weeks!). We are currently undergoing a major renovation programme for one of our properties, Douneside House. Upon re-opening Douneside House will be used as a luxury country house hotel with all profits gift aided back to the Trust for distribution to charities. Today's meeting involved discussions with the Project Manager, Interior Designers and Architects to ensure the project is going to plan. After that, I grabbed my wellies to head out on our Estate to evaluate one of our agricultural properties as I'll later prepare a business case to propose a redevelopment of a farm building at the next meeting of our Board of Trustees.

Lunchtime: I may take my dog for a walk around the Estate (as she sometimes accompanies me to the office), or if I'm feeling particularly energetic, a session at our on-site gym.

Afternoon: It's time to review the charitable applications we have received for the next distribution of funds through our grant giving programme. This is particularly difficult as we all always receive a far higher level of applications from charities than we can support. My particular focus is on the financial sustainability of the charity to ensure our donation will be put to good use.

For more information on the Trust, visit www.themacroberttrust.org.uk (although high up on my to-do list is a revamp of the current website!) For any alumni looking for a unique and private conference in beautiful Aberdeenshire, our fully renovated Douneside House will be re-opened with limited availability to the public next year - it could also be available for any future Mountbatten weddings! I'd be happy to discuss with any MB alumni who would like more information.