Filly came to Edinburgh in 1993, having previously worked as an interior designer with a firm of City of London based architects. She did part time morning classes at Leith (starting from scratch), which culminated in doing the 3 day a week Painting Course in 2003-2004. She was on the Friends’ Committee from 2003-2012, and rejoined as Chair in 2019. At the same time she became Chair of the Patrons. Having experienced personally the transformative atmosphere of the School while being taught at Leith, she is wholly committed to its values and ethos.