With Morgan Jamieson having done an excellent job as Herioter President and his tenure now coming to a close, two brilliant candidates have stepped forward to take on the mantle of Herioter Presdient and we now ask the Herioter community to vote. Each candidate has submitted a short statement, which can be read below. To cast your vote, please click here. Voting will be open until 30 April 2025, after which time the new Herioter President will be announced. 

Keith Downie (1979)

I joined Heriots in the primary 6 intake and left after 8 years in 1979, then 4 years of study in Dundee. I became a Chartered Surveyor, spending over 30 years in the construction and service industries, mostly as the Head of Procurement at Historic Scotland, maintaining buildings of national importance such as Edinburgh Castle. 

Since I have retired, I have used my time to support others through volunteering at two Edinburgh based charities. This is part of the fundamental ethos of Heriot's - giving something back, using the opportunities my education gave me to help others. This has been carried on by my daughter (Class of 2012), and hopefully in time, by my Grandson. 

As President I’d continue to tap into the significant breadth of knowledge that the FP community has, to seek out areas that could provide a greater understanding of the opportunities that are available for Heriot's pupils.  

Gillian Woolman (1982)

Having been one of the first girls to join George Heriot's School in 1979, I subsequently trained as a CA and enjoyed a career working in Brussels, Geneva, and travelling throughout Scotland. I arrived as a shy pupil, the only girl in most of my classes, and self conscious because of my red hair. I found the boys in my class kind and considerate. This has endured well beyond my school years. As one emerges from the demands of professional life and parenting, new challenges come along, perhaps as a carer or volunteer. That group of old school friends, with shared values, can be the supportive network one needs. My observation to my parents, on joining Heriot’s, was that every pupil seemed to find something they were really good at: it might be maths, or playing the bagpipes. As a consequence, each pupil had a degree of self-assurance that would carry them through life.

I would hope that today's network of FPs can provide similar learning opportunities for today's pupils.