Poverty charity Cyrenians appoints high-profile former Church of Scotland minister as its new chief executive.

Former leader of the City of Edinburgh Council and secretary of the Church of Scotland’s Church and Society Council Ewan Aitken is the new chief executive of the Cyrenians.

The poverty charity announced Aitken will take up the post from 1 May. He replaces Carol-Anne Alcorn who carried out the role of interim chief executive following the sudden death of Des Ryan in April last year.

Cyrenians chair Ian Macmillan has said: ‘“The board are delighted to appoint Ewan Aitken as chief executive. Ewan is an accomplished and gifted leader, who shares our passion for social justice, and, in his personal and professional life, has demonstrated a commitment to serve others.

I am honoured to have been given the chance to take a leading role with Cyrenians, an organisation which I know well from my time on the council.

“Ewan brings a determination and energy to all that he does, and we are excited to have him lead Cyrenians as the charity seeks to deepen its commitment to work with people at the margins – the forgotten, ignored and dismissed – to give them a self-determined and settled life.”

The Cyrenian's services include support for homeless people and employment opportunities within its social businesses, including Cyrenians Farm Enterprise.

Aitken, also a former Church of Scotland minister, said: “I am honoured to have been given the chance to take a leading role with Cyrenians, an organisation which I know well from my time on the council.

“I have long been impressed by its creativity and commitment to some of the most excluded in our society. Its willingness to walk unconditionally with folk, who are struggling with life, is inspirational. Sadly, given recent economic challenges and significant reductions in the size of safety net provided by the state, the numbers requiring this kind of support will only increase”.