Aileen McLeod becomes interim director of Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland as director Jimmy Paul moves on.
A Scottish charity has announced that its director will be stepping down following more than two years at the helm, to be replaced by a former Holyrood minister on an interim basis.
Jimmy Paul is set to leave his position as director of Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll) Scotland, with former SNP MSP and MEP, Aileen McLeod, to step in as interim director for six months.
Jimmy, who joined WEAll Scotland as director in April 2021, will take up an as-yet-unconfirmed new post elsewhere.
Those at the charity have shared their best wishes, and underlined their excitement as the charity builds under Ms McLeod’s leadership.
Doreen Grove of the WEAll board, said: “I am very sorry to lose Jimmy, he has been an exceptional first director and I wish him luck in his new role.
“I also know we will be in very safe hands with Aileen. I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to work with such a brilliant, driven and caring interim director, together with the board we will shape the organisation as we consider the future leadership of WEAll Scotland.”
Announcing his resignation, Mr Paul said his “commitment to the Wellbeing Economy movement will live on in my next role, and throughout the rest of my career”.
He wrote in a statement on the charity’s website: “WEAll Scotland will continue to always have my full support, even from afar. I’ll be leaving the organisation in very capable hands as Aileen McLeod is stepping in as our interim director for six months.
“Aileen brings to WEAll Scotland a wealth of experience, expertise and skills having served in the Scottish Government as a Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform; in the Scottish Parliament as MSP for South Scotland and member of the Environment, Health, and European committees; and in the European Parliament as an MEP representing Scotland and member of the Environment and Public Health committee.
“Aileen has spent many years in public policy advocating for, advising on, and championing the Wellbeing Economy agenda both in Scotland and at the EU and international level. She participates in a number of European and international academic and policy networks researching and advocating the implementation of practical measures designed to advance the Wellbeing Economy agenda. Aileen has also developed links to WEAll Global in her role as a member of the Global Council where she provides policy advice and support to the work of WEAll’s Global team.
“In the meantime, I want to thank you all for the great privilege it has been to lead this organisation. I heard Jim McCormick from Robertson Trust say at an event recently that ‘change has never been this fast; but it will never be this slow again’.
“We are moving into seriously uncertain times and the work of WEAll Scotland in driving economic systems change has never been more important. I look forward to playing my part to make this a reality from my new role, and wish Aileen, the team, volunteers, board and allies, all the very best.”
