Alison Douglas will take up the post on 1 December

Alcohol Focus Scotland has announced it has appointed a new chief executive, following the sad loss of Dr Evelyn Gillan in July.

Former Scottish Government head of alcohol policy and delivery, Alison Douglas will take up the post on 1 December.

In her role at the government, from 2007-12, Alison was responsible for developing and implementing Scotland’s national alcohol strategy, Changing Scotland's Relationship with Alcohol.

She has worked as a policy adviser to Scottish ministers since 2001, 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 Scottish Government, Alison worked for the UK Research Councils, including seven years in their European Office in Brussels, latterly as director.

She has served as a member of Edinburgh’s Children’s Panel and is a former Poverty Truth Commissioner and in May this year became a board member of mental health charity, Penumbra.

Dr Gillan died on 14 July, 2015 following a battle with cancer.

She was instrumental in achieving minimum alcohol pricing in Scotland.

At the time of her death Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “Sad to hear of Evelyn Gillan's passing.

“I admired her passion for the causes she believed in and valued her advice on alcohol minimum pricing.”