Claire Stevens will step down from her role at Voluntary Health Scotland. 

Voluntary Health Scotland’s (VHS) long standing chief executive, Claire Stevens is to retire in Spring 2024. 

Ms Stevens announced the news after nearly 12 years of leading Scotland’s national intermediary and network for voluntary health organisations.

She said: “My job at VHS is incredibly rewarding and I have always been passionate about it, so I know I will miss VHS and the people involved enormously. However, it is the right time for me to retire and make space for someone fresh to lead the organisation, and I have a master plan for life beyond VHS which I’m excited about. 

“2024 is the perfect time for a new chief executive to come on board, a year when VHS will scope and develop a new three year strategy, as well as celebrate 20 years of working with its members and others to address health inequalities and help people and communities to live healthier and fairer lives. 

“Leading VHS has to be one of the most rewarding jobs in Scotland’s Third Sector, I cannot recommend it highly enough, and I wish VHS every success in appointing a new chief executive.”

Trustees are currently working on plans for recruiting a new chief executive and will provide an update in due course.

Rob Murray, chair of VHS, said: “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to thank Claire for the excellent leadership she has given to the charity over many years.

“Claire is a highly respected charity leader who has presided over a significant period of growth and development at VHS, leading the charity to be highly respected across the third sector, public sector and with the Scottish Government, and building a truly excellent staff team. 

“I will miss working with Claire as she has been an inspiration to so many new leaders starting out in our sector including myself. 

“We will be working closely with Claire to ensure a smooth transition to our new chief executive, who will lead us through the next stage of VHS’s journey.”