Malcolm Robertson succeeds Lynne Cadenhead in the role.
Unicef UK has appointed Malcolm Robertson as chair of its Scotland Advisory Board.
Robertson, who joined the board in 2018, takes over from Professor Lynne Cadenhead and will support Lucinda Rivers, head of Unicef in Scotland.
Other board members include leading human rights lawyer Fiona McFarlane and David Duke of pioneering homelessness charity Street Soccer Scotland.
Robertson is one of the founding partners of communications agency Charlotte Street Partners. He is chair of the board of trustees at youth sport charity the Hutchison Vale Foundation and a volunteer coach at Hutchie Vale, supporting the club’s youngest age groups.
Douglas Alexander, chair of Unicef UK’s board of trustees, welcomed the appointment. He said: “Since joining the advisory board two years ago, Malcolm has made a significant contribution to Unicef in Scotland, and beyond. His passion for promoting and protecting children’s rights has contributed to Unicef making great strides in recent times, none more so than helping to ensure that Scotland is a leader in children’s rights following affirmation by the First Minister recently that Scotland will incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law.
“I look forward to working with Malcolm as he leads our talented advisory group during a key moment for Scotland. I am confident that under his leadership the advisory group will continue to make a real difference to the organisation and the lives of children and young people across Scotland.
“I would also like to thank Lynne for her excellent service and contribution, the impact of which will be felt for years to come.”
Robertson said: “As we come out of this crisis, we want to play an energetic role in the recovery. The importance of Unicef has arguably never been greater and the children of the world will need our support as never before.
“Scotland can be at the frontline of those efforts as we incorporate the rights of the child into Scots law. It is often children who feel the most pain during and in the aftermath of global crises like the one we’re currently living in, and others such as climate change are no less important. I hope I can make a small difference to changing their lives for the better.
“The Scotland Advisory Board is a brilliant initiative and I am humbled to be asked to chair it and to work with my colleagues on the board to recruit new talent in due course.”
