Mark Bevan

CEO


Mark’s ambition for Leuchie House

My main focus at Leuchie is simple - to give our guests and their families the very best break that can be offered in the UK. This means ensuring that their condition is expertly managed to give them the freedom to enjoy whatever they are looking for from their holiday. It’s also about having an enabling approach and being wholly focussed on the needs of our guests while they are with us. Through our skilled team we can help a guest ‘get to yes’ with their wishes, be that a simple, restful week away with friends or taking to the skies in a microlight aircraft. We are all about making things happen, making things better.

Supporting carers and ensuring that they get a break is essential too. Everyone deserves a break and that includes those doing the caring as well as those who are being cared for.


Work life before Leuchie

Work takes up too much of my life for it to be anything other than defining. I want to do a job that stretches me and that I enjoy. A really big part of that for me is working in a place that allows me to use the experience and abilities that I have to help others to be the best versions of themselves. That for me is what a Chief Executive’s role is all about.

I began my career working in residential care, before going on to spend over a decade at Capability Scotland, where ultimately I led a staff team of over 1000 and ran registered care services throughout Scotland. From there I moved on to develop my understanding of public policy and corporate philanthropy in posts which have included Scotland Director for Amnesty International and MD of HRH The Prince of Wales’ responsible network in Scotland, before becoming CEO of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry.

After a few years away from the care sector, I knew I wanted to return and to work in and with a community which was focussed on trying to make things a bit better for other people. Leuchie was the ideal environment – it makes things a LOT better for a lot of people – so I was delighted to take up the post of CEO in November 2018. It’s on my doorstep and as well as working within a residential community, I’m able to work within the wider community that provides such great support to Leuchie, which in turn provides good quality local jobs, volunteer opportunities and is a feather in East Lothian’s cap.


Life beyond work

I’ve lived in North Berwick for nearly 20 years and am married with two children. I am variously a sailor, kayaker and rower and love getting on my bike to head out in the direction of one of East Lothian’s many fantastic cafes!