Board of Trustees

About us 

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. 

Janice Forsyth, 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.

David McEntee, Treasurer

A regular Bute visitor, David’s enthusiasm for the island comes through a history of family connections with Bute.

A chartered accountant based in Glasgow with over six years, senior audit, accounting and management experience, David currently works as Fund accountant at Scottish Equity Partners, a venture capital firm with a 20-year strong track record of investment in high growth technology companies in the UK and beyond.

He is a keen distance runner, raising money for various charitable causes along the way. David joined the board in 2018

John Thomas

Edinburgh-born, John Thomas grew up in Cheshire and moved to Bute in 2010. His professional career has been spent in a variety of positions in secondary and further education in the arts, culminating in the position of Head of Foundation and Art & Design at City College, Manchester, now part of The Manchester College. He undertook projects with The Royal Northern College of Music, Bridgewater Hall, Library Theatre Company, and study visits in UK, Ireland, Spain and New York.

He has also spent time working with the Parole Board at Styal prison in Cheshire, as a senior moderator for UK examination boards, and is now director of a Manchester-based childcare company. John is married with four children, two of whom live on Bute, and six grandchildren.

He is a permanent resident of Bute who joined the Board in 2014.

Tim Saul

Chairman of Bute Jazz Concerts and restaurant owner, Tim Saul lives on Bute. A passionate jazz musician, he is also involved with other community organisations, as a director of Bute Berthing Company and committee member of the Bute Community Band and the Port Bannatyne Moorings association. He is also a member of the judging panel for the Scottish Jazz Awards, plays guitar in the gypsy jazz quartet, Les Gitanes and is currently studying for a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Jazz Studies at St Andrews University.

Tim joined the Board in 2014.

Nicola Jones

A Board member since 2014, Nicola Jones is an award-winning multimedia, creativity and computer studies educator and recognised local Ambassador for Voluntary Arts Scotland with a solid reputation for initiating and managing inspiring community projects. She is a native of Ardrishaig, who returned to Argyll in 2000 after graduating with a BSc in multimedia.

She has helped bring much-needed funding to Bute, and continues to work tirelessly to create sustainable, inclusive community assets to empower current and future generations. Nicola’s signature style is reflected in her trademarked clothing brand – The Highland Dancer – in which she captures the colours and scenes of the island under her Bute Gifts brand.

Julie Tait, Executive Director

Julie is a seasoned professional with a unique blend of entrepreneurial flair and an unmatched ability to deliver results. She has excelled over her 30-year creative industry career, consistently achieving commercial success. Julie has founded, established, and led successful venues and agencies, demonstrating adaptability and responsiveness to the needs of local communities, visitors, partners, and stakeholders. 

Her deep knowledge of the cultural sector, coupled with extensive connections and a strong sense of place, informs her creative approach to programme and business development. Julie’s rich marketing and communications expertise, combined with her experience in consultancy, has driven the rebranding and repositioning of several organisations, resulting in national recognition, increased ticket sales, and enhanced community engagement. Known for operational efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and effective project and financial management, Julie has consistently achieved six-figure turnovers and sustained revenue growth while maintaining a strong focus and balance with cultural mission and purpose. 

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