
The Edinburgh University Club of London
Established 1864
Our Patron
HRH The Princess Royal
​
The Club's Patron is Her Royal Highness Princess Anne,
The Princess Royal, who accepted an invitation to become the Club’s patron shortly after succeeding her late father as Chancellor of Edinburgh University in 2011.
Previously, His Royal Highness the late Duke of Edinburgh held the Chancellorship of the University from 1953. He became the Club’s Royal Patron after the Club celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1989 in his presence.

HRH Princess Anne. Photo Credit: Barrie Harwood/Alamy
Meet The Team
![EUCL-2025-Carla-Salvatore-Photo-5562 [Web].jpeg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/afcd34_812a200238df4dfa93a30c4064f6b2b3~mv2.jpeg/v1/crop/x_245,y_376,w_907,h_669/fill/w_462,h_342,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/EUCL-2025-Carla-Salvatore-Photo-5562%20%5BWeb%5D.jpeg)
Stuart Blackie
President
Stuart graduated from Edinburgh University Medical School in 1976. He was a lecturer in the Department of Pathology in Edinburgh, then Senior Lecturer at the Charing Cross Hospital in 1983. He subsequently went into private practice, ultimately running his own diagnostic surgical pathology laboratory.
He is a member of several professional and social organisations, including the Caledonian Club.
He was appointed Knight Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (Scottish Lieutenancy) and is a committee member of the Royal Stuart Society.
Elected to the Club Committee over two decades ago, Styuart has served three terms as President.
He is married with two children and three grandchildren.
![EUCL-December-2024-Carla-Salvatore-Photo-4291 [Web].jpeg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/afcd34_daf4a33e0a604d67b468f2c175761674~mv2.jpeg/v1/crop/x_155,y_195,w_1210,h_891/fill/w_462,h_342,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/EUCL-December-2024-Carla-Salvatore-Photo-4291%20%5BWeb%5D.jpeg)
Iain Poole
Vice President
Iain graduated from Edinburgh University in 1979 in Economics & Agriculture.
With over 40 years of international experience as a gem dealer, investigative reporter, editor, actuary, business development manager and engineer, Iain is focused on the energy sector, especially renewables and Geothermal energy.
He serves on the Court of the Worshipful Company of Fuellers and is a Freeman of the City of London.
His interests include the fine arts, paintings, antique maps & coins, creative writing, cooking and fine wine.
He joined the Club in 1997, was elected to the Committee in 1999, serving two terms as President.
![EUCL-2025-Carla-Salvatore-Photo-5535 [Web].jpeg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/afcd34_a371a2067fa44c34a79c3a6c0920ab14~mv2.jpeg/v1/crop/x_227,y_262,w_1051,h_777/fill/w_462,h_342,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/EUCL-2025-Carla-Salvatore-Photo-5535%20%5BWeb%5D.jpeg)
John Poynton
Honorary Treasurer
& Honorary Membership Secretary
John read Physics & Economics at Edinburgh University and graduated in 1970.
He joined Price Waterhouse in London, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant and Management Consultant, carrying out numerous assignments including years in Nigeria and Norway.
John has stood for Parliament three times and is an active member of the Bruges Group.
He joined the Club Committee in 1996, serving as Honorary Treasurer and Honourary Membershiop Secretary for 25 years.
Married for over 40 years with four children.​

Rosalind Topping
Honorary Secretary
Rosalind graduated from Edinburgh University in 1968 with an MA Arts.
She started work at the British Paediatric Association in 1978, seeing its translation into the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in 1996, where she served as Head of Education until 2010.
Rosalind joined the Club in 1999. She was President from 2002 - 2005 and has served as Honorary Secretary since 2019.
She is a lover of the arts and is an active member of the Counterpoint Dance Company which performs around the UK and in Europe. ​​
She helps to run the Link for Freedom Foundation which supports the people of Iran's struggle for the establishment of freedom, democracy and humanitarian values in their country.
![EUCL-2025-Carla-Salvatore-Photo-5507 [Web].jpeg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/afcd34_c40d112c55174f7bacb0c9ae9e10834d~mv2.jpeg/v1/crop/x_281,y_397,w_911,h_673/fill/w_462,h_342,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/EUCL-2025-Carla-Salvatore-Photo-5507%20%5BWeb%5D.jpeg)
Alf Caws
Events Coordinator
Alf graduated with an MA in Geography from Edinburgh University in 1974. He began at Beecham as a Trainee Personnel Officer, where he managed various Generalist HR roles, before moving to Sedgwick Insurance Brokers in 1992.
Following the acquisition of the company by Marsh McLennan, Alf was promoted to head of the UK Benefits & Reward function and subsequently the EMEA region.
He joined the Committee in 2012, where his wealth of contacts are put to good use in developing and coordinating private events for Club members.
![EUCL-December-2024-Carla-Salvatore-Photo-4149 [Web].jpeg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/afcd34_c366dc416ff74874b4afe77093eeff03~mv2.jpeg/v1/crop/x_722,y_188,w_912,h_674/fill/w_462,h_342,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/EUCL-December-2024-Carla-Salvatore-Photo-4149%20%5BWeb%5D.jpeg)
Ann Cormack
Committee Member
Ann graduated from Edinburgh University in 1984 with an MA with Honours in German, French & Spanish.
​After 20 years with Shell International, she has worked for the UK Government, led a JV with BP in biofuels, Director International of Rolls Royce plc, and De Beers Group.
Ann currently holds a number of NED roles including the National Nuclear Laboratory and Envipco,
Appointed in 2024 as Convenor of the International Standing Committee of the University of Edinburgh.
Ann joined the Club Committee in 2024.
![EUCL-2025-Carla-Salvatore-Photo-5375 [Web].jpeg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/afcd34_b88be23ee1cb4fe49cc6bbb4eb87fd57~mv2.jpeg/v1/crop/x_897,y_129,w_925,h_684/fill/w_462,h_342,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/EUCL-2025-Carla-Salvatore-Photo-5375%20%5BWeb%5D.jpeg)
Tim Richman Gadoffre
Publicity Officer
Tim graduated in 1991 with a BA Hons in Modern Languages from King's College London.
He worked with the Ogilvy Group in Paris, with clients that include Nestlé, Disney, WWF, IBM and American Express.
He joined MasterCard's European HQ in 1997, where he led brand-building initiatives across 22 countries in the region.
Since 2006, he has worked in luxury goods, hospitality, heritage and with membership organisations, as an independent consultant.
With over 30 years of marketing experience, he was co-opted onto the Club Committee in 2023, to assist with communications.
Tim is a specialist in the design and manufacturing techniques of the House of Carl Fabergé (ca. 1880-1918).
Also a keen gardener & cook, he collects 18th century English black basalt ceramics, by the independent makers in Hanley, Staffordshire.