Lead Scotland has appointed Emma Whitelock as its chief executive. Emma has extensive experience of the education and disability charity having previously filled seven other roles at the organisation. She has over 20 years of experience working in the voluntary sector within organisations striving for equality of access to learning, volunteering, employment and independent living, predominantly for disabled people, carers and their families. Emma is also an associate assessor for Education Scotland, involved in CLD inspections and currently volunteers with Edinburgh's All Ability Cycling (ABC) cycling project. She replaces Penny Brodie who held the position for 7.5 years.

Alcohol Focus Scotland has appointed Alison Douglas as its new chief executive, following the sad loss of Dr Evelyn Gillan in July. Alison was the Scottish Government’s head of alcohol policy and delivery from 2007 to 2012 and previously worked as a policy adviser to Scottish ministers advising on issues ranging from prostitution, to GM crops and the marine environment. Since April 2012 she has been head of public bodies and public service reform with responsibility for advising ministers on reform and ensuring the effectiveness of public bodies. Before joining the Scottish Government, Alison worked for the UK Research Councils. She has served as a member of Edinburgh’s Children’s Panel and is a former Poverty Truth Commissioner. In May this year Alison became a board member of mental health charity, Penumbra. She will take up her post from 1 December 2015.

Rewilding Britain has appointed David Balharry as its Scotland Director. David will join the environmental charity on 2 November from the Scottish Government, where he is currently a branch head in the agriculture and rural development division working on rural policy issues. David grew up in rural Scotland and his career includes two years in the private sector promoting sustainable management on sporting estates and over 20 years in the public sector. He has held roles in research, administration, policy development and regulation with Scottish Natural Heritage, the Deer Commission for Scotland, the Crofting Commission and the Scottish Government. He originally trained as a scientist at the University of Aberdeen and holds an honours degree in Zoology and a PhD in Ecology.

Meningitis Research Foundation has appointed Vincent (Vinny) Smith as its new chief executive following the retirement of Chris Head who has been with the charity for eight years. Vinny previously worked at Cancer Research UK for seven years and later became chief operating officer in the international development and domestic violence sectors. As director of Stand Consulting he advised non-profits in the UK, Africa and US on strategic planning, fundraising and organisational development. He is a panel member of fundraising thinktank Rogare and is a guest lecturer on Organisational Development. He takes over the role on 9 November.