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Our Current Trustees, Staff and Volunteers

Adrian Schmieder

Adrian Schmieder

Adrian Schmieder

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Adrian has a background in engineering, which compliments his extensive experience in the charitable sector. An active and respected figure in both LGBTQ and medical charitable provision: 


He was nominated as Chair without objection in October 2025.

Samantha Walker

Adrian Schmieder

Adrian Schmieder

Chief Executive Officer


Sammy brings a pragmatic and innovative approach influenced both from personal experience, previous roles in the non-profit sector and as a business consultant.  


She founded Esse House UK in May 2025, and was elected by the Trustees as Chief Executive Officer in October 2025. 

Caroline Litman

Adrian Schmieder

Caroline Litman

Founding Trustee


Caroline studied medicine specialising in Psychiatry before leaving to raise her family and run a well-being business. In March 2025, Harper Collins published he memoir "Her name is Alice," an attempt to raise the alarm on the state of trans healthcare, after her daughter Alice died by suicide. Caroline now campaigns to promote the voices of affirmative and inclusive-minded parents.

Lee Hurley

Bill Swailes

Caroline Litman

Founding Trustee


Lee is a widely-respected writer and artist from Belfast who has been published in a number of mainstream outlets, and now runs his own news websites. He has been involved in LGBTQ related politics and activism for 30 years.

Bill Swailes

Bill Swailes

Bill Swailes

Founding Trustee

Bill is a tech support specialist working for an ISP. They hold a degree in Physics, and trained as a programmer. They enjoy solving tricky problems and learning how things work; and serve as our go-to when something isn't working.

Will Jeffrey

Bill Swailes

Bill Swailes

Founding Trustee

Will is an Executive in the power-generation industry, and as a Company Director brings both real-world business experience as well as his personal passion for diversity and inclusion to the board of trustees.

Siobhan Craig

Siobhan Craig

Siobhan Craig

Initiative Lead

Siobhan holds a BA in English Literature, PGCE and QTS.  She brings nearly 15 years experience as a Teacher, including specialism in SEN. She acts as the organisation's voluntary secretary, and is currently facilitating the set-up of EHS project.

Holly Harrop

Siobhan Craig

Siobhan Craig

Voice Coach


Holly is a vocal coach specialising in trans-feminine voice work, and has several years experience exploring her own vocal development and alteration. Holly holds a degree in Data Science, but her true passion lay in all the ways people express themselves. 

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Esse House

Esse House, Clyde Offices, 2nd Floor, 48 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 1BP

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