Our dedicated and enthusiastic Lunch with an Old Bag Committee consists of some of Scotland's most influential ladies (and a few brave men) who volunteer their time, energy, connections and commitment to ensuring each Lunch with an Old Bag event is a vibrant and sparkling occasion, enjoyed by all, and successful in its mission to raise vital funds to assist a growing number of young people through The King's Trust Scotland.
Our wonderful Committee members extend invitations to a growing network of generous 'Old Bags' who offer to serve as Table Hosts, and in turn gather together fun, spirited and generous guests equally committed to supporting the aims of The Trust in Scotland.
The Committee must also be thanked for the tremendous array of money can't buy Live and Silent Auction Prizes they bring to the event, as well as goody bag items and the highly coveted Raffle Ring!
Celebrating 18 years in 2026, and with special thanks to founding member and host James Thomson of Prestonfield, Lunch with an Old Bag has become the hottest lunch ticket in town, and one of the biggest fundraising events for The King's Trust in the UK, raising more than £9.3 million to date.
Doreen has been a committee member since 2017 and an enthusiastic guest at the event for many years prior to this. She has been appointed Chair from May 2021. She had a long career as a European Human Resources Director for a global US based company after which she has served as a Governor of Edinburgh University and as a Board member on a number of Committees focussed on skills development for young people. Doreen is proud to be associated with the King's Trust and is excited about the future of the event and raising as much money as possible to help change the lives of our young people.
Jill has been on the Lunch with an Old Bag committee and a volunteer with The King's Trust since 2012. Her ‘regular’ job is the Managing Director of Glenapp Castle, a stunning five-star Relais and Chateaux Hotel in South West Scotland. Jill says "being part of the LWOB team is fantastic, we always have great fun at our committee meetings, and even more fun on the big day! Since being involved with LWOB, I have learned a lot about The King's Trust and love how it helps young people. I am continually amazed, and in awe, of the achievements and positive differences these young people can make to their lives.”
Bally has been a member of the committee since 2022 and is BRIC Interiors’ founder and Design Director. With a background in textiles and first-class aviation, Bally has superlative design credentials, exceptional client service and relentless attention to detail in her DNA. Pivoting to interiors over a decade ago, today Bally is the driving force behind BRIC’s signature service-led design.
James owns some of Scotland's most distinctive hospitality businesses including Prestonfield, The Witchery by the Castle and Edinburgh's Tower Restaurant. An active ambassador for the Scottish Tourism Industry, James was awarded a Silver Thistle from the First Minister and an OBE for services to Hospitality and the Scottish Tourism Industry.
James is involved in many industry and educational bodies including the British Hospitality Association, the Board of the National Restaurant Association and is a Founder Patron of the Springboard Charity. He is Governor of George Heriot's Trust, and a Trustee of Prostate Scotland. James is a Platinum Patron of The King's Trust; a member of The King's Trust Scotland Advisory Council and supports the Get into Hospitality programme, providing work placements for young people in his restaurants and hotels.
Debjani has been a LWOB committee member since 2014 and has been a volunteer mentor for The King's Trust since 2010, providing business mentoring to young people going through the Trust's programmes. She joined the Old Bag committee as she wanted to be involved with an organisation that helps and encourages young people and gives them opportunities to succeed in their lives.
Debjani has been working in Financial Services for over 20 years and is head of the Scottish office of a global wealth management firm. When she's not working Debjani can be found around Edinburgh with a handbag on one arm and her two young daughters in tow!
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Marion has been a member of the committee since 2022 after having attended the event as a guest on several occasions.
Marion has previously been involved with fundraising for a number of charities including The Woman of Influence Awards in aid of Action for Children, CRUK, The Princess Royal Trust for carers and Kilbryde Hospice and had been awarded an MBE for her services to charity in Scotland.
Marion is a director of fatBuzz, a marketing agency, specialising not just in digital marketing but also graphic design, web design and development, SEO, PPC and video marketing and podcasting.
Marion is excited about joining such an enthusiastic and dedicated committee and looks forward to attending this year and bringing along some west coast ladies to the lunch.
Elaine has been a dedicated member of the LWOB committee since the inaugural lunch in 2009. Elaine says, 'It has been an absolute honour to see how it has blossomed from the initial seed of an idea jointly cultivated by James Thomson and Geraldine Gammell.'
'Not only have we raised several millions of pounds for The King's Trust but wow, have we all had fun doing so? In the words of The Dragon's Den "I'm in!" and I hope you all are too!'
Originally from Northern Ireland Kyle joined the committee in 2020. Prior to this he enjoyed both attending and supporting the event with his family and seeing first-hand what a huge difference the money raised at LWOB can make to a growing number of young people's lives. A former design graduate of The Glasgow School of Art he has enjoyed applying his creative skills and knowledge to many aspects of the event and its digital outlets. Joining the LWOB team has been Kyle's first experience of sitting on a charitable committee and he is honoured and excited to be part of such a fabulous event raising vital funds for The King's Trust across Scotland.
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