Board Member Spotlight: Emma Reid
February 2026
At Right Way Credit Union, our volunteer Board of Directors play a vital role in guiding our mission and ensuring we continue to serve our members and communities with care and purpose. This month, we’re delighted to shine a spotlight on Emma Reid, our newest director, whose background in education, marketing, and governance brings valuable insight to the work we do.
About Emma
Emma grew up in Paisley and has lived locally for most of her life. She has recently completed her role as a Lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and continues to work in education alongside her professional career.
Emma is currently a Marketing Consultant and also undertakes part-time lecturing for other universities, combining her passion for teaching with strategic, real-world marketing experience. She is married and has two teenage children and remains strongly connected to the local community.
What Inspired Emma to Join the Board
Emma’s journey to Right Way Credit Union began through her work in education. While teaching on the Graduate Apprenticeship programme, she met Karen, whose coursework involved developing a blog. Through this work, Emma learned more about credit unions and the important role they play in communities.
As the programme continued, Paula also became part of the course, allowing Emma to get to know more members of the Right Way team over time. When Emma later began considering a career change and reached out on LinkedIn for advice and suggestions, Karen and Paula contacted her the very same day to encourage her to apply for a board position.
Emma describes it as “the right place at the right time.” The values of Right Way Credit Union — community-focused, people-centred, and ethical — aligned closely with her own. She also believes strongly that people should have a better understanding of where their money goes and the alternatives available to them.
That connection has since led Emma to take on a second board role with a children’s charity, allowing her to combine her experience in education with voluntary work that reflects her values.
What Emma Brings to the Board
Emma brings a strong marketing and strategic perspective to the Board, helping to shape how the Credit Union communicates, grows, and engages with its members and the wider community.
She also has previous experience in governance-related roles within higher education, something she discovered she genuinely enjoyed. Being able to transfer those governance skills into the voluntary sector has been a long-standing passion for Emma.
One of the aspects she values most is the collaborative nature of the Board, particularly working closely with Paula, Karen, and Roisin. Emma highlights the importance of teamwork, shared learning, and the networking opportunities that come from working with people who are committed to the same values and goals.
Why Credit Unions Matter
Emma believes credit unions like Right Way are more important than ever.
She points to the easy access to expensive credit as something she finds particularly worrying, noting how quickly people can become caught up in unmanageable financial situations. For Emma, credit unions provide a responsible, ethical alternative- one that puts people before profit.
She is also passionate about the growing movement around financial education, and believes the more this message is shared, the better. Being part of Right Way Credit Union allows her to contribute to raising awareness and helping people make more informed financial choices.
We’re incredibly grateful to have Emma Reid on our Board. Her experience, insight, and commitment to education and community make a meaningful contribution to Right Way Credit Union and the members we serve.