Meet the Team
SCIAF is a member of Caritas Internationalis, a global Church network with a presence in more than 160 countries. We work closely with other members of the Caritas Network to design and implement programmes and respond to emergencies. Our programmes are implemented internationally by our network of partner organisations and the local church.
Our staff team are based in Glasgow, Scotland. We are governed by an international Board of Directors and a number of subcommittees, comprised of experts in their field who guide our decision making and help to ensure our work is in the best interest of those we serve.
Lorraine Currie
Chief Executive
SCIAF’s Chief Executive holds over three decades of dedicated leadership in the fields of relief and international development. Lorraine's has held various influential roles with UNHCR, international charities and faith-based organisations, including Caritas agencies. Her work has spanned regions in the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe, where she managed diverse programs addressing the needs of marginalised communities. Lorraine holds an MA in Refugee Studies and Migration and an MSc in International Health and Development. She moved into the role of Chief Executive in 2023, after 13 years as SCIAF’s Director of International Programmes and Advocacy.
Robert Swinfen
Director of Central Services
Robert joined SCIAF in October 2016, bringing 25 years of experience in similar roles in the voluntary sector. He has worked at Oxfam, NACRO, The Richmond Fellowship Scotland and the Iona Community. He has also served as a Trustee for organisations including SCVO and Stepping Stones for Children, and is currently on the Board of Hostelling Scotland. Robert has responsibility for personnel, finance, and office support at SCIAF.
Ben Wilson
Director of Public Engagement
Ben joined SCIAF in 2017 and served as Policy Officer then Partner Advocacy Officer until becoming Advocacy Manager in 2023. Ben has a range of experience with international NGOs including Xchange Scotland, Challenges Worldwide and WaterAid, with particular experience in advocacy, research and communications. He holds a PhD from the University of Glasgow in sociology and is a trustee of Scotland’s International Development Alliance and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland. Ben is responsible for overseeing SCIAF’s political influencing work, fundraising, communications, development education and supporter engagement, including our relationships with schools and parishes.
Mark Camburn
Director of Integral Human Development
Mark joined SCIAF in 2010 as a Programme Officer for Latin America until becoming Programme Manager in 2022. He studied Latin American Development Studies at Portsmouth University. He built up his grassroots experience working with small-scale farmers and Natural Resource Management programmes in Bolivia - where he also lived and played international rugby for the national team. Mark has responsibility for our programme and emergency work around the world.
Bishop Brian McGee
Bishop President
The Right Reverend Brian McGee joined the SCIAF board in 2016 and serves as Bishop of Argyll and the Isles. Bishop McGee studied in Thurles, Ireland, and received a Certificate in Philosophy and Diploma in Theology before he was ordained and became a priest of the Diocese of Paisley. He holds a Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality and was consecrated as Bishop of Argyll and the Isles in 2016.
Archbishop William Nolan
The Most Reverend William Nolan joined the SCIAF board in 2017 and serves as the Archbishop of Glasgow. Archbishop Nolan was a priest of the diocese of Motherwell and then served in Rome as Vice-Rector of the Scots College until 1990. He was Bishop of Galloway from 2014 until 2022 and was then appointed as Archbishop of Glasgow by Pope Francis.
Lorraine McMillan
Interim Chair of the Finance, Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee
Lorraine McMillan joined the SCIAF board in 2019 and was Chief Executive of East Renfrewshire Council from 2008 until she retired in 2023. After qualifying with an honours degree in physics, she worked in research and development, gained an MBA and then joined the Scottish Development Agency. She later served as Director of Enterprise at Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire and as Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire before moving to local government. Lorraine has held several Non-executive director positions and is currently a Board member of SEPA.
Diane Burke
Diane first served on SCIAF’s Public Engagement Committee as a Committee Member and was then appointed as Chair in March 2022. She is currently the Commercial Director of Caledonian MacBrayne. Having worked at Board level for over 12 years, she has led and successfully delivered business transformation in various sectors.
Canon Michael A Hutson
Born and brought-up in Ayrshire, former music teacher Michael Hutson has been a priest of the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles since 1994. His priesthood formation was at Salamanca and Chesters, Glasgow. Parish Priest of St Mary’s, Benbecula, he also serves the diocese as Vicar General, Vicar Episcopal for Liturgy and Diocesan Co-ordinator with the Marriage Tribunal.
Bishop Joseph Toal
The Right Reverend Joseph Toal joined the SCIAF board in 2012, and has been Bishop of Motherwell since 2014. Before this, he was Bishop of Argyll and the Isles. He was ordained a priest of Argyll and the Isles in 1980 and after ordination served in South Uist, Campbeltown and Benbecula.