ENSA Board of Directors

Lang Banks - Chair

One of Scotland's leading environmentalists, Lang Banks has worked for global conservation organisation WWF for over a decade and has been integral in its work addressing issues relating to climate change, clean energy, and marine protection. Lang was appointed Director of WWF Scotland in 2013. 

Prior to working at WWF Lang was a member of staff at Friends of the Earth Scotland, worked at Strathclyde University Students Association and got his degree from the University of West of Scotland (University of Paisley).

Lang is also currently a Commissioner on the Scottish Just Transition Commission and a Trustee with People's Postcode Lottery.

Dr Antonio Garcia, FRGS, CGeog - External Lay Director

Antonio is a senior manager in Scottish Government, Chief Digital Office within Social Security Scotland. Holding an MBA, and a professional project management qualification, he has led the delivery of a number of programmes, and projects, in national and international roles, including the UN, international NGOs, the civil service and the military; as well as working at the intersection of international peace, security, and education. He is a part-time tutor at the Open University; visiting lecturer at Durham University; and non-resident research fellow at Stellenbosch University.

Dr Ailsa Crum - External Lay Director

Dr Ailsa Crum is Director of Membership, Quality Enhancement & Standards at QAA. Her career has involved extensive student engagement including partnership working with sparqs. She established a student-led project as part of the national Enhancement Themes and speaks widely on the benefits of students as partners in national and institutional policy and practice.

Ailsa has a range of links inside and outside the UK including: the Academic Quality Agency for New Zealand Universities, the European Quality Audit Network, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and the University of Limerick. Outside work, Ailsa has a research interest in literary memoir and all forms of storytelling.

Erin Slater - External Lay Director

Erin is an RICS chartered project management surveyor and Fellow of APM, with experience working on higher education projects to create fit for purpose student facilities. Her career has also involved working on large healthcare, retail, residential and office projects.

Erin has a wealth of experience in project stakeholder, risk and financial management, along with leadership skills and the ability to think strategically, analysing situations in a logical manner. 

Erin is passionate about the student experience and the mentoring and training of students and graduates through their professional careers.

Isobel Hall - External Lay Director

Isobel has worked in Students' Unions in various roles over the past 5 years including being a twice elected Sabbatical Officer (President of Education and President of the Students' Union, Hull University Students' Union) and a staff member at a postgraduate specific Students' Union (Representation and Democracy Coordinator at York GSA).

Isobel has previously served on the QAA's Student Strategic Advisory Committee for two terms and is also the founder of ‘SUcan!’ - a training and consultancy agency designed to empower those working within Students’ Unions! Isobel also currently is studying for an MBA at the University of Lincoln part-time and runs a side business making handmade items.

Debs Chapman - External Lay Director

Debs Chapman (MCIPD) was previously the Director of Reward, Inclusion and Colleague Experience at The Very Group, which operates digital retailer Very.

Debs has nearly 30 years’ HR experience gained across reward, pensions, DEI, employee relations and shared services.

At The Very Group, Debs played a central role in developing the organisation’s reward responses to changing market conditions, developing its inclusive culture, launching its first ever diversity and inclusion commitments, and overseeing large scale HR systems transformations in its shared service centre.

In her previous roles at the Royal Bank of Scotland, Debs led cultural transformation around hybrid working and shaped the organisation’s approach to global reward and benefits.

Currently Debs works as a freelance Consultant and yoga instructor, as well as being a lay court member for Edinburgh Napier University.

Debs is truly passionate about making a difference by driving engagement, wellbeing and equality. 

Chika Marvis - Full-Time Officer, Director

Chika is one of ENSA's Full-Time Officers for session 2024/25. He has a Master's Degree in Environmental Sustainability at Edinburgh Napier. He joined the Board in July 2024 and his current role is Co-President for Education and Employability.

Ryan Cairns - Full-Time Officer, Director

Ryan is one of ENSA's Full-Time Officers for session 2023/24. He is from Edinburgh and studied Sport and Exercise Science at Edinburgh Napier. He joined the Board in July 2023 and his current role is President for Sport and Wellbeing.

Evans Eghan - Full-Time Officer, Director

Evan is an actor, director, producer and creative consultant with film credits spanning from feature films, short films, TV shows, TV Commercials and Music Videos.

Even is also the founder and executive director of Accra Indie Filmfest (AiF), an annual international short film festival based in Accra that typically focuses on showcasing and promoting independent, non-mainstream and often innovative films created by emerging filmmakers from all around the world. 

Evan studied MSc Marketing with Festival and Event Management at Edinburgh Napier University and also served as an International Student Ambassador.

He is from Ghana and loves everything packaged in any artistic format. Joining the ENSA board appealed to him as it offered the extensive opportunity to help contribute to students' wholistic experience through diversity and inclusivity.

Aswin Podimon - Student Lay Director

Aswin is an International Student from India. He made the decision to become part of the Board, recognizing it as a unique opportunity right out of high school.

He is currently pursuing a bachelor's in Computer Science and also is a Student Ambassador at the university.

Anastasia Asenguah - Student Lay Director

Anastasia is a current postgraduate student studying Drug Design and Biomedical Science at Edinburgh Napier. She studied her BSc in Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry in England.

Outside of her studies, Anastasia is a member of the student-led charity, Students for Global Health’s national committee, as well as a member of the London Model World Health Organisation (WHO) Simulation organising committee. She enjoys spending her time coordinating  projects and events to get more students interested in global and public health.

Anastasia admires how the board offers an opportunity for students to get involved and encourages the presence of students in the decision-making process of ENSA.

“I am grateful to have been chosen to be a member of the ENSA board, I am excited to use this opportunity to learn more about how ENSA can continue to grow and be beneficial to students across all three campuses.

I believe that increased student engagement with ENSA can be achieved a lot better with student representation within the board of directors.”

Deepa Bheeman - Student Lay Director

Deepa Bheeman is an MBA candidate specializing in strategic project management, from India. With experience in the investment banking sector at top U.S. firms, she is dedicated to making a meaningful impact as the student lay director. This role offers her a wonderful opportunity to engage with university activities and contribute positively to both students and the broader university community. 

Deepa has also served on the Education & Student Experience Committee, demonstrating her commitment to enhancing the student experience. 

Deepa is a passionate reader of fictional stories and a self-taught digital artist, reflecting her love for creativity and self-expression. Her curiosity lies at the crossroads of technology and finance, sparking her drive for innovation.