The Design Panel
The Design Panel gives expert advice on new artworks, updates to existing pieces, and developments across the Outdoor Museum. It brings together people with a wide range of skills, including the Chair and Vice Chair of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, along with representatives from local organisations and the community with experience in arts, culture and heritage.
Councillor Fiona Howard
Councillor Fiona Howard represents the Helensburgh Central ward on Argyll and Bute Council, having been elected in May 2022. She serves on a number of committees and is Chair of the Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee.
Before entering local government, Fiona spent many years in journalism, working as a reporter and later as editor for titles including the Helensburgh Advertiser and later as Special Publications Editor for Clyde Weekly Press and Ayrshire Weekly Press. After leaving journalism she ran a business magazine for Dunbartonshire and a small print and design business.
Councillor Math Campbell‑Sturgess
Councillor Math Campbell ‑ Sturgess represents Helensburgh and Lomond South on Argyll and Bute Council, elected in May 2022. As a member of the Scottish National Party, he is Vice Chair of the Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee and Policy Lead for Business Development.
Alongside his elected role, he is a professional jewellery designer specialising in Celtic and Norse inspired designs and leatherwork. Before entering politics, he previously worked as a professional graphic designer, running his own design business.
CHARTS
The Culture Heritage and Arts Assembly, Argyll and Isles (CHARTS), is a membership-guided charity supporting the culture sector in Argyll and Bute. CHARTS provides high-quality strategic support for the region’s creative, heritage and cultural industries, currently representing a membership of over 700 cultural practitioners, including individuals and organisations.
CHARTS works to create sustainable growth for the sector and widen access to cultural activity, by building place-based knowledge networks, delivering projects that strengthen creative practice and generate vital paid work and training opportunities for a wide range of practitioners.
Stewart Noble
Stewart Noble is a prominent local historian and was also a long serving Community Councillor until 2026, including 3 years as its Chairman. Stewart was also for 19 years Chairman of the Helensburgh Heritage Trust, and he remains a trustee. In 2014 he was Citizen of the Year in the Helensburgh & District Community Spirit Awards.
Widely recognised for leading heritage walking tours that showcase the town’s cultural
significance, Stewart was also a major contributor and editor of the historical publication:
“200 Years of Helensburgh 1802–2002”.
Mark Duncan
Mark Duncan is a violinist who has performed with numerous British orchestras and spent many years with the Scottish Opera Orchestra. He taught violin at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music, now the RCS and was the Director of the National Youth String Orchestra of Scotland, highlighting his commitment to performance and youth music.
Early in his career he worked for the Landmark Trust as a trainee furniture restorer, sparking a lifelong passion for the restoration of historic properties. He has firsthand knowledge of restoration techniques, having worked on properties in Scotland and France.
Mark also serves as Programme Secretary for the Arts Society Lomond & Helensburgh.
Norman McNally
Professor Norman McNally is an internationally respected design educator. A former Professor at The Glasgow School of Art, he played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary design education, leading the development of the BEng/ MEng in Product Design Engineering courses with the University of Glasgow, and establishing influential international programmes such as the Master of European Design. He was awarded the inaugural Sir Misha Black Award for Innovation in Design Education in 1999.
Professor McNally is actively involved in the local community, serving in a leadership role within the Helensburgh Community Council and contributing to initiatives focused on town improvement, waterfront development, and community engagement.
Iain MacLaren
Iain is a retired architect, having been principle in a major Scottish practice based in Glasgow.
He is a practising amateur artist, working in oils and acrylic from his studio in Helensburgh. He mainly exhibits locally, but private commissions are to be found both here and abroad.
He is President of Helensburgh Art Club and actively supportive of continuing and developing the broad range of classes, workshops, lectures and exhibitions that the Club provides to over 200 members.
He also serves on the panel of architecture+designhelensburgh, the advisory panel to Helensburgh Community Council on major Planning developments.
Fiona Baker
Fiona Baker is a renowned archaeologist who has contributed to major projects in the Middle East and the United Kingdom. As the Director of an independent archaeological practice, her work reflects a strong commitment to the protection and understanding of the historic environment and cultural heritage.
Alongside her professional career, Fiona plays an active role in local community life including serving as a Director of Destination Helensburgh, Member of Rhu & Shandon Community Council, Chair of Rhu and Shandon CommunityTrust, and Chair of the Baird TV Centenary Trust.