Somebody Cares SCIO announce a significant transition in the leadership of its Board of Trustees.
After nearly seven years of dedicated service, Gordon Cowan is stepping down as Chair with immediate effect and will leave the Board entirely on 16 April 2026. Ryan Swan, who joined the Board as a Trustee in May 2025, has been appointed as the new Chair, also with immediate effect.
Gordon Cowan has been an exceptional leader and a driving force behind the charity's growth and impact over the past seven years. Under his chairmanship, Somebody Cares SCIO has grown significantly — expanding its reach, strengthening its governance, and deepening the impact it has on the communities it serves.
Gordon's commitment, strategic vision, and tireless dedication have left a lasting mark on the charity. The entire Board and staff team extends its profound gratitude to Gordon for his outstanding contribution and wishes him well in his future endeavours.
Gordon Cowan, outgoing Chair, said: “Serving as Chair of Somebody Cares Scotland for seven years has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. We navigated the COVID-19 crisis when our retail operation — the lifeblood of our charity — was immediately cut off, threatening our very existence.
"We guided the crucial transition from our visionary founders Brian and Jenny Taylor to Dr Yekemi Otaru as CEO, and under Yekemi’s exceptional leadership we have not only survived but thrived — supporting over 15,000 people annually, providing 170,000+ meals, and furnishing over 800 homes. But what moves me most isn’t the numbers: it’s the single mother who can feed her children tonight, the elderly person no longer choosing between heating and eating.
"I am leaving confident that Ryan Swan and the whole team have the strength, compassion, and commitment to ensure that nobody in Aberdeen is ever forgotten.”
Ryan Swan, who is Director of Assets at Osprey Housing, brings energy, commitment, and fresh perspective to the role of Chair. Having served as a Trustee since May 2025, Ryan has quickly demonstrated a deep understanding of the charity's mission and values. The Board is confident that under his leadership, the charity will continue to grow and deliver meaningful impact.
Photo: Ryan Swan, new Chair of the Board of Trustees, Somebody Cares SCIO
Ryan Swan, incoming Chair, said: “It is with a sense of real privilege that I take the role of Chair from Gordon who has navigated the charity through some truly challenging times. As a charity there is much to do and challenges to be overcome, however, I have faith in both the senior leadership team and the developing Board that will allow us to take the difficult decisions, when required.
"The trust shown from both Gordon and the wider Board has been humbling and I look forward to building on the recent successes and momentum that is developing within Somebody Cares.”