Rothesay Pavilion, a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation established in 2014, partners with Argyll and Bute Council to restore and manage this iconic building. Under a 25-year lease and agreement signed in 2016, the Charity is revitalising it as a key visitor attraction, blending commercial, cultural, and community activities. Our focus is on long term community wealth building and prosperity, aiming to boost local economic activity, support cultural and creative industries development, creating high-value jobs and local training opportunities, that contribute to the regeneration of Rothesay, enhancing tourism in the area once again. 

David McEntee,
Acting Chair

David McEntee is a chartered accountant and financial strategist with more than 15 years’ experience across multiple sectors, including nine within private equity. A qualified Chartered Accountant, he has spent his career navigating complex financial landscapes – from the audit of a number of large enterprises to now reporting investment performance. Acting Chair of Rothesay Pavilion and its Treasurer for the past seven years, David combines rigorous financial oversight with a deep commitment to community regeneration. Born into a family with long ties to the Isle of Bute, he brings both professional expertise and personal passion to the Pavilion’s future.

For David, the building’s reopening represents far more than a restoration – he sees it as a catalyst for local pride, economic renewal and cultural opportunity. Beyond the boardroom, David is a keen runner who recently completed his fourth marathon, channeling the same energy and focus he brings to his leadership role. His blend of financial acumen, strategic vision and genuine enthusiasm for Bute’s potential make him a vital force in steering the Pavilion toward a vibrant and sustainable new era.

Alistair McIntyre

Alistair McIntyre is a chartered surveyor and project director with over 40 years of experience in building surveying, conservation and estate development. A Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), he has delivered major projects for the Universities of Glasgow, Stirling and St Andrews. On Bute, he was Head of Buildings and Facilities at Mount Stuart Trust, managing multimillion-pound programmes covering heritage restoration, sustainable housing and business start-ups.

He specialises in listed building redevelopment, risk planning and community-focused estate strategy. His track record combines respect for heritage with practical delivery of innovative, sustainable projects. Alistair brings a deep understanding of both conservation and community development, making him a valuable trustee for Rothesay Pavilion.

David McNee

David McNee is a mining engineer with more than 30 years’ international leadership experience. A Strathclyde graduate, he has held senior roles in Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East, including Operations Director at Sukari Gold Mine in Egypt and Chief Mining Officer at Bisha Mining in Eritrea. He has managed multimillion-dollar projects, optimised operations and led large international teams in complex environments.

Returning to Bute in 2021, David joined the Port Bannatyne Development Trust and since 2022 has been part of its management team, helping to establish the community pub operations and supporting regeneration projects across the village. His career combines global project management expertise with a strong local commitment, bringing strategic insight, leadership and community focus to Rothesay Pavilion.

Gail MacKenzie

Gail MacKenzie is a marketing and sponsorship strategist with more than 20 years’ experience in Scotland’s music and live events industry. She spent a decade with DF Concerts & Events, playing a key role in iconic festivals such as T in the Park and TRNSMT, as well as at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut. There she led high-profile campaigns, secured sponsorship deals and helped launch new brands and event concepts. Gail is also an experienced artist manager, with a defining role in the early career development of Gerry Cinnamon and has supported both grassroots and established artists.

She later co-founded Grassroots Music UK to champion emerging talent and now advises festivals and events as a freelance consultant, bringing creativity, commercial expertise and a strong network to her work. Widely respected in the industry, Gail is passionate about music’s power to connect communities and create meaningful experiences, combining professional insight with deep enthusiasm for cultural development at Rothesay Pavilion.

Prof. Gary Kerr

Professor Gary Kerr is an academic leader in tourism, festivals and events. He is Head of Department of Marketing, Tourism & Sport at Atlantic Technological University, Ireland, where he leads a team of 35. An expert in the social, cultural and economic impact of events, he advises international festival managers and cultural leaders on strategy, governance and growth. He previously led commercial development at Edinburgh Napier University, generating significant new income. Gary held advisory roles with British Council Scotland and Edinburgh International Conference Centre, and served on boards including Sonic Bothy, a pioneering music organisation and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, overseeing a £1.6Bn health portfolio.

He sits on Professional Standards Committees of the Law Society of Scotland, and Scottish Swimming and is currently a Non-Executive Director of Newmilns Snow and Sports Complex, the UK’s only charitable Snowsports facility. With family roots and a home on Bute, he brings, a strong track record in leadership and international expertise across arts, health, sport, and justice, and local passion for Rothesay Pavilion.

Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly is a creative entrepreneur with more than 25 years’ experience in the arts, events and design sectors. Originally from Ayrshire, he spent two decades in Singapore working as an art director and copywriter for agencies including TBWA, DDB and Ogilvy, while also building a successful career as a DJ, promoter and venue operator. He co-founded Kult Yard, a stalwart in the Singapore creative scene, and co-founded and managed Kult Kafe and Sideshow, producing a wide range of cultural events from live music and poetry to animation festivals and family programmes.

Tom began his career after graduating from Edinburgh College of Art, working as a mural painter, youth arts facilitator and event organiser. Recently relocated to Port Bannatyne, he brings international experience, creative networks and a passion for community-led culture to Rothesay Pavilion.

John Thomas

John Thomas is an experienced teacher, lecturer and examiner in art and design, with over 30 years dedicated to education and supporting creativity. His career included senior positions in secondary and further education, culminating as Head of Foundation and Art & Design at City College, Manchester (now part of The Manchester College). There he worked on projects with the Royal Northern College of Music, Bridgewater Hall and the Library Theatre Company, and led study visits across the UK, Ireland, Spain and New York. Alongside his academic career, John has developed significant experience as a business owner and company director, running a successful childcare business.

A permanent resident of Bute since 2010, he combines his passion for creativity with a strong commitment to community development. John brings valuable expertise in education, enterprise and the creative industries. His long-standing focus on nurturing young talent and creating opportunities aligns closely with the Pavilion’s mission to inspire and engage the next generation.

Tim Saul

Tim Saul is a retired business owner with over 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, running pubs, restaurants and cafés across the UK, including more than 20 years on Bute. He began his career by renovating and reopening a derelict pub on the Isle of Wight going on to build a strong reputation for hands-on business management, customer service and community involvement. Alongside his hospitality career, Tim has been a driving force in Bute’s cultural life, chairing and running the Isle of Bute Jazz Festival and later leading the Bute Manouche Gypsy Jazz Festival.

A professional jazz musician, he has performed widely and is a founding member of the gypsy jazz quartet Les Gitanes. He holds a postgraduate diploma in Advanced Jazz Studies from the University of St Andrews and has served as a judge for the Scottish Jazz Awards. Tim continues to support the island’s creative community through his work with the Isle of Bute Artists’ Collective and the Pavilion board, where he brings a valuable mix of commercial acumen, leadership and cultural expertise.

Nicola Jones

Nicola Jones is a multimedia artist and award-winning entrepreneur, founder of the brands Happy Tartan® and The Highland Dancer®. A Bute resident for more than 26 years, she has built an international profile while remaining deeply committed to her local community. Nicola’s work has been showcased by major institutions including Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art and Rangers Football Club.

She has created multiple successful ventures blending heritage, fashion and culture, with The Highland Dancer® named Best Scottish Dance Apparel Brand in 2022. Through Happy Tartan®, she is now pioneering a global brand rooted in Scottish identity with a strong social purpose, supporting youth arts and Highland dance. A Pavilion trustee since 2015, Nicola brings creativity, entrepreneurial drive and deep community commitment to the board.

Julie Tait, Executive Director

Julie L. Tait is Chief Executive of Rothesay Pavilion, leading one of Scotland’s most ambitious cultural redevelopment projects. With more than 30 years’ experience across the cultural, leisure and tourism sectors, she has a proven track record of delivering commercial growth, securing major investment and driving large-scale organisational transformation. Julie is best known for creating Scotland’s national audience development infrastructure, founding and directing agencies such as Glasgow Grows Audiences, Culture Sparks and Culture Republic. There she pioneered the use of cultural data and digital platforms to unlock new revenue streams, expand audiences and strengthen sector resilience.

Alongside her agency work, she has extensive experience as a presenter, facilitator and board member, advising organisations on strategy, governance and growth. Renowned for combining entrepreneurial vision with commercial discipline, Julie brings the leadership, financial acumen and industry insight required to ensure Rothesay Pavilion reopens as a sustainable, successful and high-profile cultural destination for Scotland.

Special Thanks to Past Chairs

Janice Forsyth,
Immediate Past Chair

Janice has been working in the arts world, mainly in Scotland, for the last 35 years – initially in arts PR for a wide range of organisations, before moving into the media, as a TV and radio presenter/producer and newspaper/magazine writer. She is a well-kent face and voice in Scotland, having presented many TV and radio series on BBC, Channel 4 and STV – always flying the flag for Scottish culture. For the last two years, she has branched out as an entrepreneur, working with her business partner on the development of a digital platform for Scottish culture, raising substantial seed investment.

In 2019, their production company produced two concerts for Celtic Connections, including, with Disney and Air-Edel, the World Premiere of feature film, Brave, with live orchestra. In 2020, she launched The Big Light, Scotland’s first podcast network. When she’s not working, Janice is a frequent visitor to Bute, her favourite Scottish island, which she has loved since her first trips ‘doon the watter’ during The Glasgow Fair as a child. 

If you’d like to reach any of  the Trustees with an enquiry, please get in touch.