Hearts and Minds has revealed that Rebecca Simpson has been appointed as its CEO

A Scottish charity has unveiled its new chief executive.

Hearts and Minds has announced that Rebecca Simpson has been appointed as its new chief executive.

Simpson – who started work on Monday (6 January) - joins the Edinburgh based arts-in-health charity from her role as schools and sustainable transport manager at Living Streets. Prior to that she was head of young people programmes at Youth Scotland.

Simpson said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Hearts and Minds. The charity is very close to my heart and brings together my love of working in health and the arts. The work that Hearts and Minds deliver is very unique and provides so much joy for people at a time when they need it the most.

“I look forward to working with the team at such an exciting time and supporting the growth and development of the organisation.”

Stephen Gallagher, chair of the charity’s board of trustees, said: "The board was delighted to receive so many high quality applications but Rebecca was the stand out candidate for us bringing a combination of passion, purpose and possibility. We are delighted that Rebecca also brings extensive experience of the third sector and we very much look forward to working with her on the next steps for Hearts and Minds"

This year, the charity is celebrating the 21st anniversary of the Clowndoctor Programme as it looks to strengthen its position in the arts-in-health sector and work closely with healthcare organisations in embedding the professional practice of therapeutic clowning in Scotland’s healthcare provision.