Karen McGregor is stepping up from her current role at Sustrans as Portfolio Director where she worked with a variety of teams to boost their impact. Karen is looking forward to championing Sustrans’ work in Scotland.
Karen is looking forward to championing Sustrans’ work in Scotland. ©2022 Ad Leeks/Sustrans
We are really pleased to announce that Karen McGregor is taking up the role of Director for Sustrans in Scotland.
Karen will shortly step up from her current role as Portfolio Director, where she worked with a variety of teams to boost their impact.
Karen worked with Sustrans Scotland's Behaviour Change, Places for Everyone, Network Development and Co-Design teams.
Chief Executive Xavier Brice made the announcement of her new role during a visit to our new Edinburgh hub.
About Karen
Karen is a graduate of the University of Strathclyde and joined Sustrans in 2020.
She was previously the CEO of Firstport, Scotland’s agency for start-up social entrepreneurs and social enterprise.
Joining Sustrans during the pandemic, Karen is looking forward to championing Sustrans’ work in Scotland and supporting colleagues to approach this new way of hybrid working we find ourselves in since Covid-19.
Positively influencing active travel
Speaking with Scotland colleagues Karen said:
“I’m really up for this job. I’m so proud of what we do here at Sustrans and now we really have an opportunity to seize the moment, make our mark and positively influence a step change in active travel in Scotland.
“Through the Walking and Cycling Index, we know that most people in Scotland want the Scottish Government to be spend more money on active travel.
“We know that walking and wheeling is the most popular mode of transport in urban areas. We also know that one in five of us cycle at least once a week.
“Of course there is much more that needs to be done and I believe that Sustrans is well placed to play a big part in making that happen.”
Chief Executive Xavier Brice made the announcement of Karen McGregor's new role during a visit to our new Edinburgh hub. ©2022 Ad Leeks/Sustrans
Exciting work ahead for communities in Scotland
Sustrans’ Chief Executive Xavier Brice also spoke about the challenge ahead:
“Scotland has got to be one of the most exciting places, if not the most exciting place, to do what we are doing.
“We are entrusted to put to work millions and millions of pounds of public money and we are entrusted by communities to make that work too.
“We need to get out there and connect with communities and with each other after what has been too long through lockdown and uncertainty.
“We need to ask what is it we do best and where do we make the most impact.”
Karen will remain in her post as Portfolio Director until a successor is appointed.
In the meantime, Stewart Carruth will continue to lead Sustrans’ work in Scotland as Interim Scotland Director.
Read about our work in Scotland.
Find out about what people in Scotland said in our Walking and Cycling Index.
