CHAS Appoints new Director of People and Strategy

Today, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland has officially announced Morven MacLean as our new Director of People and Strategy.

The first internal appointment to the senior team in many years, Morven has been with CHAS for almost seven years as Head of Volunteering; helping evolve ways of working and significantly improving volunteer engagement.

Morven was instrumental in establishing CHAS’s innovative virtual hospice service and revolutionised the way in which the charity delivers its services after assuming additional responsibilities in relation to culture, wellbeing and business planning. Morven also served as Chair of Glasgow Women’s Aid.

In her new role, Morven will be responsible for leading the new People and Strategy Directorate which comprises HR, Volunteering, Learning & Development and Strategy and Programme Development functions.

Speaking of her appointment, Morven said: “I’m delighted to be the new Director of People and Strategy at CHAS. It’s an exciting time for the charity as we develop our post-pandemic vision and expand our service for the future.

“Aligning our people agenda with our strategy is critical if we’re to realise our ambition of reaching every child and family in Scotland who needs us. Having worked in CHAS as Head for Volunteering for the last seven years I know that our people are our most precious asset – motivated and passionate about what they do.

“I’m excited about building on the incredible work that’s gone before and mobilising our community of staff and volunteers behind our vision and cause.”

CHAS CEO, Rami Okasha, said: “We had a number of incredibly high quality and credible candidates applying for this role. Throughout the process, Morven’s vision, passion, energy, and enthusiasm for CHAS was so clear. I know she will lead teams across CHAS with great skill and dedication.”

CHAS is determined to reach more of the 16,700 children and young people in Scotland who have a life-shortening condition. Currently the children’s hospice charity delivers integrated care across a variety of settings: in their two hospices, in hospital, at home and – since the pandemic started – virtually. In March 2020, CHAS launched the world’s first virtual children’s hospice and is continuing to prioritise end-of-life and emergency care in hospice and children’s homes as well as supporting the NHS and Scottish Government in their national effort.

This year, CHAS is celebrating a major milestone; 30 years of supporting children with life-shortening conditions, and their families across the whole of Scotland. The charity remains focused on its founding vision of reaching every dying child across the country by providing the highest-quality children’s palliative care and hospice services.