Camphill School Aberdeen has today, Wednesday, 10 December 2025, announced the appointment of Colum Pooler as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Colum joins the charity, which provides residential and day services to support children and young people with learning disabilities and complex additional support needs, from Garval Edinburgh, where he is CEO. Garvald is a similar charity which provides day services to approximately 240 adults with learning disabilities. He will officially take up his new role in April next year.
His appointment follows a decision by Camphill School Aberdeen’s current Executive Director, Alex Busch, to step down and explore new opportunities after 20 years at the charity, seven of which were spent as Executive Director. He will, however, continue to be connected with the region’s Camphill charities.
During his time at Camphill School Aberdeen, Alex has overseen many successful projects, including the opening of social enterprise Murtle Market, a new 11-bedroom sustainable residential home called Linden House, and the construction of a new sensory playground.
Colum has a strong connection to the Camphill movement, having lived and worked at the nearby Newton Dee community and more recently was General Manager of Corbenic Camphill Community in Dunkeld.
As a result, Colum brings a deep understanding of Camphill’s culture and ethos as well as substantial expertise in strategic leadership and governance, capital project delivery, organisational culture, and community engagement.
Stephen Johnson, Chairperson of the Board, said, “Colum joins us at a pivotal time. Camphill School Aberdeen, along with the region’s other charities, is facing a complex and evolving period. His experience and leadership skill will be key to helping us navigate these challenges to ensure we are able to continue to provide sector-leading care to some of the north east’s most vulnerable people.
“We’re hugely grateful to Alex for more than two decades of dedication to Camphill School Aberdeen and wish him every success with his next role.”
Colum added, “Camphill School has a highly respected reputation for its approach to supporting children and young people with complex additional support needs and learning disabilities, and I’m greatly looking forward to returning to Aberdeen with my family to play my part in shaping its future.”
Camphill School Aberdeen currently supports approximately 80 children and young people across its day and residential services. The charity recently completed the first phase of its major fundraising campaign, Building Futures, Transforming Lives, which aims to increase the number of children and young people it can support. Phase one included the construction of a new state-of-the-art residential home, the opening of its social enterprise Murtle Market, and the construction of a new sensory playground.
