Nairn Young

Nairn Young is a Managing Solicitor at Renfrewshire Council, with responsibility for their litigation team. He is the co-author (with Nicola Smith) of Adult Protection and the Law in Scotland (3rd edn) which was published in 2024. He has provided advice and training on adult protection issues for local authorities and adult protection committees across Scotland, as well as the Judicial Institute for Scotland, the Law Society of Scotland and IRISS.

Anna Johnston

Anna Johnston is currently a Detective Inspector within the Domestic Abuse and Rape Investigation Unit covering the Highlands and Islands. Anna has 24 years Police Service, having served in Shetland, the Highlands, and Nationally. Most of Anna’s service has been within the public protection arena, specifically child protection, leading serious and complex investigations into recent, non-recent and online offending against children on a local, national and international level. Anna has recently returned to the Highlands and Islands after spending 2 years seconded to the Scottish Government as their Professional Policing Advisor to Child Protection.

Michelle Ward

Michelle Ward is the Head of Services at Women’s Aid Orkney and has been in post for 8 years. Women’s Aid Orkney is a specialised domestic abuse service who work with women and children affected by all forms of domestic abuse both current and historical in a trauma informed way. Michelle also sits as a partner on MARAC, MATAC, VAWG Forum and Public Protection Committee meetings. Michelle’s background is in domestic abuse, housing and nursing.