BAAF announces new chief executive

Selkirk will join BAAF in December from NHS Tayside in Scotland, where she has been deputy chief executive since May 2011.

She will take over from interim chief executive Barbara Hutchinson, who has been at the helm since May, when she replaced former boss Srabani Sen, who left after less than six months in charge.

Selkirk joined NHS Tayside in 2000 as assistant director of planning and child health commissioner before becoming director of change and innovation in 2003 – a post that she held until her appointment as deputy chief executive of the trust.

At present she chairs four child health groups, including the National Delivery Plan Monitoring Group for Specialist Children’s Services and the National Child and Mental Health Services Stakeholder Group.

Selkirk said it is a privilege to be appointed chief executive of BAAF.

She said: “I am very much looking forward to joining an organisation which is recognised across the UK and internationally for the quality of its work and expertise helping to improve the lives of vulnerable children who are fostered or adopted and their families.

“I am passionate about promoting the rights of children. One of the most fundamental rights is to grow up in a loving and supportive home.

“I look forward to playing my part in ensuring more vulnerable children find loving and supportive foster carers and adoptive parents.”

Anthony Douglas, chair of BAAF, said: “Caroline is highly experienced with a passion for improving the lives of vulnerable children and we are thrilled she will be joining BAAF.

“She has all the qualities of a great chief executive and will make a strong contribution to BAAF.”