New Chief Executive for CHILDREN 1ST

CHILDREN 1ST has announced the appointment of Anne Houston, Director of ChildLine, as its new Chief Executive. Anne has been Director of ChildLine in Scotland for the past twelve years and has been responsible for the ChildLine service across the UK since February of this year. She will take over from Margaret McKay, who retires in December.

A qualified Social Worker, Anne Houston has worked in the fields of child care, offenders and mental health as both a practitioner and senior manager in Scotland and England.

Chairman of CHILDREN 1ST, the Rev. Bill Brown, said: “We are delighted to appoint Anne Houston as Chief Executive of CHILDREN 1ST. Anne’s knowledge of the field and her experience with ChildLine, together with her passion for the wellbeing of children, will serve not only CHILDREN 1ST well, but augurs well for child welfare in Scotland in the coming years”.

Anne said: “I am really pleased to be taking up the post of Chief Executive of CHILDREN 1ST in January. I admire and respect the work of the charity and have watched it grow and develop significantly over the last few years, providing an ever greater service to Scotland’s children.

“I am excited and enthusiastic about working with the board, staff and volunteers to ensure it continues to go from strength to strength. The added bonus is that I will also continue to be involved with the work of ChildLine in Scotland, as its service will be provided by CHILDREN 1ST – the best of all worlds for me, and more importantly for children and young people here in Scotland”.