The Scottish Community Safety Network has appointed Lorraine Gillies as its new chief officer. Lorraine has most recently been working with Audit Scotland to develop an approach to measuring and understand the key benefits from the Community Empowerment Act and leading on several pieces of improvement activity around 21set century audit models. Whilst at Audit Scotland, she led the recent audit of Self Directed Support. Before that, she led the development of community planning and regeneration in West Lothian Council. Her career began in the third sector and includes work with Cyrenians, Scottish Drugs Forum and as chair of Housing Options Scotland. She is delighted to be back in the voluntary sector and is looking forward to leading the network further develop its role in supporting community safety across Scotland.

Michelle Davitt has been appointed as chief executive of Scottish Love in Action (SLA), a charity based in Scotland helping to transform the lives of vulnerable children in India. SLA partner with and support grassroots Indian organisations that care for, educate and empower children and young people. Michelle has worked in a variety of roles in the voluntary sector in Scotland for almost twenty years, building capacity with a wide range of small charities and social enterprises. She is delighted to have the opportunity to continue and progress this work in India and in Scotland, joining a dedicated and enthusiastic team of staff, trustees and volunteers. Michelle said: "I’m excited to have the chance to build on the excellent work of SLA, and nurture the organisation as it continues to strengthen and develop."

After more than a decade as chief executive, Peter Hepburn has announced he is leaving Cats Protection. Peter has been at the UK’s leading cat welfare charity since April 2007 and has led the executive management team during an unprecedented period of expansion and development of the charity. He has increased Cats Protection’s income, increased volunteer numbers from 7,000 in 2007 to over 10,000 last year and introduced the charity’s first government relations team. He also oversaw the creation of a unique grief service that supports people whose cats have died.