​Disability charity installs new boss

Theresa Shearer is to be become Enable Scotland’s permanent chief executive, the charity has announced.

Formerly Enable's chief operating officer, Shearer became interim chief after Peter Scott resigned in March.

Bob Cowie chair of Enable Scotland said that while there remained a number of challenges ahead, Shearer was the right choice for the post.

“In the current economic climate, third sector organisations are moving into uncharted territories in relation to increased pressures linking to the Living Wage, and reduced social care budgets," he said.

“These challenges also present great opportunities for the sector to consider how it delivers services and works together, and Theresa brings considerable insight, energy and focus to these considerations.

“The board is confident this capability will benefit both our charity and the wider sector alike."

Shearer is well known across Enable Scotland’s members, customers, commissioners, funders and with people who have learning disabilities.

Recently she led an innovative change programme, involving major workforce redesign and complex union negotiations, for which she received a special commendation from the Institute of Directors and was named as one of the leading female directors in Scotland in 2013.

She is also a Chartered Fellow of CIPD, and has run her own consultancy organisation which has supported a number of Scottish charities with strategy and governance work.

Shearer has also worked with the Scottish Government and has been a key figure in developing the Self Directed Support social care policy in Scotland.