Sight loss charity welcomes new boss

A new boss has been appointed to a leading sight loss charity that is building a care home in Paisley.

Mark O’Donnell will take charge at Royal Blind and Scottish War Blinded ahead of the opening of the state-of-the-art centre.

The cause will create 150 jobs in the town by the end of the year.

Mark said:“I am truly delighted to be joining Royal Blind and Scottish War Blinded. It is a huge privilege to take over as chief executive of such a respected and important organisation with a strong reputation for excellence and personcentred services.

“It is a particularly exciting time to join with an expansion of services underway.

“I look forward to working with everyone connected to the organisation to make sure the next chapter in the organisation’s history is a great success.”

The University of Edinburgh graduate was previously deputy director in health and social care at the Scottish Government and held senior positions with the Scottish Ambulance Service and MS Society.

He replaces Richard Hellewell, who will be retiring in July after 10 years at the helm.

Gwenn McCreath, chairman of Royal Blind, said:“Mark is joining Royal Blind at an exciting time in our development and we look forward to his leadership.

“He brings a wealth of experience of leading and managing charities, and of working on social and health care policy and service delivery.”

Roles with the service will be revealed at a Paisley Town Hall exhibition on Saturday, June 3. For more information and to apply, visit www.royalblind.org/work-with-us