Eilidh Young: The Agony Aunt of Biodiversity Project Managers

A native Scot, Eilidh spent 11 years working in London for the BBC, the UK’s national TV and radio service, before deciding to return home. As the current Administrator of the Darwin Initiative, Defra’s flagship biodiversity grants programme, she began her LTS career as the personal assistant to its five Directors. But rapidly became clear the tasks required were much broader, and soon Eilidh was managing the whole office. For many years, she minuted LTS Board meetings and, as a result, is the go-to person for anyone wants to know long-past company history. She’s LTS’s very own personal memory bank.

Eilidh has worked on the Darwin Initiative for around 15 years and is the first point of contact for all projects. “I’ve become something of an ‘agony aunt’ for grantees and try to dispense useful information on how to manage a Darwin project based on my experience,” she explains. Although she would never say so herself, Eilidh is a whizz of an administrator and a walking encyclopaedia of the Darwin projects. Her particular favourites are the projects on big cats. “I especially love it when they send me photos.”

After 20 years with LTS, Eilidh has a lot to say but she kindly sums up the experience for us: “I’ve really enjoyed my involvement with Darwin. The variety of projects has made the work fulfilling and keeps the day-to-day from becoming repetitive. But most rewarding has been the chance to work as part of the growing LTS team and recognition that, although we all have important individual roles to play, together we are working towards the same goal.”

On a more personal note

As a humble person, Eilidh is one for ‘hiding her lights under a bushel’. But word has it she participates in a local community annual event. Rehearsals take place from May to September for a three-act evening of entertainment including songs from the choir and a short play in ‘Scots’, which is similar to English but replete with locally used words and expressions and, of course, accents. Eilidh sings in the choir and recently performed a few solos as well as a short role in the play. One day, we’re hoping we can convince her to sing for us! In her remaining free time, Eilidh is the President and Treasurer of her local church of which she is an active member.

And the merger with NIRAS?

“Well it certainly has been something that I haven’t experienced before,” she says with a smile. “LTS had reached the point where things were changing anyway as we were growing so fast. Merging with NIRAS gives us a more confident platform from which we can do this. Of course, there’s still a lot of change going on and plenty of learning to be done on both sides, but overall it’s been a positive experience.”

You’ve possibly spent this whole article scratching your head wondering how to pronounce Eilidh’s fine Scottish name. You are not alone – it causes much confusion. So here is the definitive guide: Eilidh = Ay – lee. Or as an easy alternative, just think of Hayley but drop the ‘H’. “Don’t worry if you still can’t get it right,” Eilidh reassures. “I’m never offended by the various mispronunciations. Honestly it’s fun to hear people try.”

Now you know. So next time you are at LTS’s office outside Edinburgh, look Eilidh up and impress her with your perfect pronunciation of her beautiful name.