In the Summer of 2025, CentreStage proudly joined the Saltire Scholars Programme, becoming the first Charity to host a Scholar.

The programme, run by Entrepreneurial Scotland, is designed to find, grow and connect students with the ambition and potential of becoming the next generation of leaders. This shared focus on unlocking potential made it a natural fit for CentreStage, offering us the opportunity to nurture talent in a whole new way.

From June, Kirsten joined us from the University of Glasgow to support our Marketing and Communications team. During her time, she developed skills across content development and creation, social media strategy, and internal communications. Kirsten was trusted to drive and create her own impact, while being mentored by Jamie Pearson, our Communications Officer who had freshly completed the programme before joining CentreStage.

Having two Saltire Scholars together created a powerful exchange of learning, creativity, and reflection. Kirsten’s energy and enthusiasm have made a mark on our organisation, and her time here highlighted the value of investing in young people.

CentreStage Founder and CEO, Fiona McKenzie said,

“At CentreStage, we believe that when potential is recognised and nurtured, lives and communities are transformed. The Saltire Programme is an outstanding way of enabling young people to develop the confidence, skills and connections they need, while also bringing fresh energy and perspective into organisations. Hosting our first Scholar has shown us the power of this exchange, and we are proud to play a part in supporting the next generation of leaders.”

We are proud to continue exploring pathways for young people to develop the skills and strengths they need to unlock their fullest potential. We wish Kirsten all the best with her final year of University.

Find out more about the Saltire Scholar Programme: https://www.entrepreneurialscotland.com/programmes/saltire-scholar-programme