The Team
Karen Derrick
Chief Officer
Karen has an extensive training background spanning over 30 years in languages, business and project management, but still enjoys the ‘people’ side of the job most of all.
Karen has been working for VABS since 2007, first as Community Development Officer overseeing community-led action planning throughout the strath, then creating and managing the Strengthening Communities capacity-building programme from 2012-2015. She took on her current role as Chief Officer in 2015. She has lived in Badenoch and Strathspey since 2005 and before that in Dumfries and Galloway, so has some experience of life and community challenges in rural Scotland. Karen has an extensive training background spanning over 30 years in languages, business and project management, but still enjoys the ‘people’ side of the job most of all. She currently lives in Grantown on Spey.
Ann Traill
Finance and Development Officer
Originally from Edinburgh, Ann started her working life in the hospitality industry, settling in Aviemore in 1978. She moved to Nethy Bridge in 1990 where she became heavily involved as a volunteer with both the toddlers group and what was the primary school PTA at that time.
Ann started working for VABS in 2004, initially as secretary to the Chief Officer. Since then she has continued to develop her personal and professional skills to fit the changing needs of the Third Sector in Badenoch and Strathspey. This included training with the newly formed OSCR on Charity Law for advisors of charities, as well as training to become a registered Independent Examiner with the Association of Charity Independent Examiners.
Ann’s current position with VABS is Finance and Development Officer – a role which involves providing support to a wide range of voluntary organisations in Badenoch and Strathspey on financial and employment issues. Through working alongside the Chief Officer, she helps to deliver key outcomes for communities and funders, as well as strengthening VABS’ profile in this ever changing sector.
Alice Fogg
Interim Chief Officer
After studying Geography at Durham University, Alice moved to Grantown on Spey in 2021. She is part of Cairngorms Orchestra, plays tennis and volleyball locally, volunteers in nature conservation, and enjoys hiking and wild swimming.
Alice started working at VABS in September 2024 as Interim Chief Officer. She has volunteered and worked in the third sector for over 10 years, most recently working on community-led climate action and nature engagement projects locally. Alice is incredibly passionate about enabling our rural communities to thrive and empowering communities to shape their futures. She is excited to lead VABS into a new chapter and to continue supporting the incredible network of community and voluntary organisations in Badenoch and Strathspey.
Highland Third Sector Interface
VABS is part of the Highland Third Sector Interface (HTSI) funded by the Scottish Government to support Badenoch and Strathspey communities in the following four areas:
- Volunteering
- Organisational support
- Social Economy/Enterprise
- Community Engagement & Planning
Useful Links
