Children’s Hearings Scotland is delighted to welcome three new members to its Board. With these appointments, the Board now includes five former Panel Members, bringing a wealth of lived experience to its governance.

Natalie Don-Innes MSP, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, has today announced the appointment of Ronnie Corse, Robert Lindsay Dorrian and Claire Kettlewell.

Their appointment follows the departure of three previous Board members’ who had reached the end of their terms. The newly appointed members will join Barbara Neil, Sean Austin, Katie Docherty and Board Chair Katharina Kasper on the Board.

Ronnie Corse

Ronnie Corse is a recently retired technology leader, having worked for more than 35 years in sectors including Defence, Manufacturing, Financial Services and Media. Ronnie’s experience ranged from leading large software engineering teams in the delivery and support of technology solutions, to operating as an advisor up to executive level.

Ronnie’s other previous appointments include Deputy Chair of the West Lothian Developing Young Workforce from 2018 to 2025 and a Board Trustee with the charity Children First from 2017 to 2022. He also served on the Midlothian Children’s Panel from 2015 to 2022.

Ronnie is currently a Trustee with the Cousland Smiddy Trust, a charity that oversees the maintenance and operation of an early 18th century blacksmith’s workshop, Victorian cottage and organic allotments in the Midlothian village of Cousland.

Robert Lindsay Dorrian

Robert Lindsay Dorrian is a qualified legal professional and brings expertise in legislation and decision-making to support board-level responsibilities. Alongside being an employment solicitor, Robert has contributed to national initiatives improving the outcomes for care-experienced children and young people.

Being care-experienced himself, Robert felt compelled to contribute to the Independent Care Review and the Promise, emphasising the importance of dignity, fairness and opportunity. Robert previously served as a Panel Member and combines professional insight with personal commitment to reduce stigma and widen opportunity.

Claire Kettlewell

Claire Kettlewell is a solicitor with more than 12 years' experience appearing in civil cases before courts and tribunals and has had the privilege of representing many families at Children’s Hearings and in related court proceedings. Between 2017 and 2023, Claire was a part-time lecturer on the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, at Robert Gordon University, in Aberdeen where she taught students about the Children's Hearings System. In 2023, Claire was appointed to Head of Service of the Civil Legal Assistance Office (CLAO) having previously managed the Aberdeen office for four years. As Head of CLAO, Claire is responsible for the operational management and delivery of the service: a network of three offices in Scotland which helps people with their civil legal problems. Claire therefore brings management and leadership skills to the board, in addition to her legal knowledge and experience.

‘A warm welcome to Ronnie, Robert and Claire, who bring a wealth of expertise to our Board, including additional lived experience of care.

‘We now have five former Panel Members on our Board, and two in our Senior Leadership Team at CHS. Having this experience among our leadership will aid our overriding priority of ensuring excellent decision-making and delivering high-quality hearings for the infants, children and young people who need us most.

- Katharina Kasper, Chair of the CHS Board

Four-year appointments

Ronnie Corse’s and Robert Lindsay Dorrian’s appointments will be for four years from 1 September 2025 until 31 August 2029. Claire Kettlewell’s appointment will be for four years from 29 September 2025 until 28 September 2029. The appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.