16/07/10

By Andrew Holt

Anne Marie Carrie, deputy chief executive and executive director family and children's services at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, has been appointed the new chief executive of Barnardo's.

Carrie trained as an electrical engineer but soon changed careers to work with young people, becoming a youth worker and community centre manager then training as a drama teacher.

She has held director posts in numerous voluntary and private organisations including the Health Education Board for Scotland, Women’s Aid and the Scottish Seabird Centre.

Carrie is presently on the National Task Force for Employment and chair of the National Association of directors of Children’s Services Education Committee and on the board of the Young People’s Learning Agency.

She joined the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea as its first executive director for Family and Children’s Services in February 2006.

Since her arrival Kensington & Chelsea children services department has been judged as outstanding by Ofsted.

Chair of Barnardo’s Council, Geoffrey Barnett said: "I am delighted that Anne Marie is joining Barnardo’s. She has achieved huge success in every role she has worked in and I am convinced that she has the experience and skills to ensure Barnardo’s continues to grow in size and influence, even in these difficult economic times."

Anne Marie Carrie said: "I am thrilled to be appointed as the successor to Martin Narey. Barnardo’s believe in children and I believe in Barnardo’s. We both share a lifelong commitment and passion to improving the lives of children, especially the most vulnerable."

Anne Marie will take up her post in November and will spend time visiting Barnardo’s services across the UK before formally taking over from Martin Narey in January 2011.