IRISS appoint Jackie McKenzie as new Director

The Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS) have  announced the appointment of Jackie McKenzie as Director.

Jackie is joining IRISS from Nesta, the innovation charity where for the last nine years she established and led the team in Scotland. She has designed and delivered innovation programmes in a range of fields – education, older people, creative industries, social enterprise and culture.

All of her work has involved digital as an enabler. Jackie comes with a diverse background in both HE and the Third Sector and has established entrepreneurial projects which have flourished.

Jackie commented: “I am delighted to be joining such an innovative and creative organisation and am looking forward to to continue to grow the excellent work of Alison Petch and her team. This is an important time in the health and social care landscape in Scotland and I relish this opportunity to work with both existing and new partners to create lasting impact for Scotland.”

IRISS is a charity that promotes better outcomes for people who use social services in Scotland. It works to enhance the capacity and capability of the social services workforce to access and make use of knowledge and research for service innovation and improvement.

Jackie will take up post at the end of May 2015.