Brings enthusiasm and compassion to the role
Baby loss support charity Simba has announced its new chief executive to replace interim CEO Karen Moore
Sarah Pryde-Smith will be joining the charity in July from Bowls Scotland, where she is currently business operations manager.
Simba said it is looking forward to welcoming her “enthusiasm, compassion, and energy" to the role, along with her strong operational and strategic leadership skills.
Pryde-Smith has experienced baby loss herself and has directly benefitted from Simba’s work, the charity said.
Pryde-Smith said: “I am immensely proud to be taking on the role of CEO for Simba. I, like so many families, have benefitted directly from the support and services Simba offer at a point when it’s needed the most.
“I am joining Simba at a time of change, with a new vision, underpinned by strong values and I am committed to continuing the exceptional work already achieved to ensure every family in Scotland receives the support they need following the loss of a baby.
“I must thank Interim CEO Karen Moore for helping to guide Simba over the last nine months and of course, Simba would not be here without our founder Sara Fitzsimmons, who has shown immense dedication and passion since the inception of Simba.
“I am looking forward to working with our wonderful staff team, board, volunteers and the families affected by baby loss. Together, we will ensure every baby is honoured and remembered, whenever the time is right.”
Since 2005, Simba has gifted almost 65,000 memory boxes to bereaved families at their critical time of loss. The charity has worked in partnership with local families to refurbish bereavement rooms in hospitals across Scotland.
In February 2023, the escalating number of requests for memory boxes across the UK and Ireland, coupled with a significant shortfall in funding meant the charity was facing closure.
The board made the decision in June 2023 to return activities to within Scotland, to not only future-proof the charity but also focus on strengthening and widening their services to support as many bereaved families as possible within Scotland’s communities.
Simba works with sister charities in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland to support bereaved families there.
