The National Day Nurseries Association, which represents early years settings, has appointed its first new chair of trustees in 20 years.

Sarah Steel, who is chief executive of the Old Station Nursery group, replaces Sarah Carr OBE, who has been a board member and chair of trustees since 2001.

“I am delighted and incredibly proud to be taking on the position of chair of NDNA at such a crucial time for children, families and providers in the early years sector,” said Steel, who has been a member of the NDNA’s national policy committee since 2011.

“Sarah Carr has done an amazing job to build a great team at the organisation who have been crucial in standing up for the sector and providing the support and training opportunities that the early years needs.”

Carr said that she will “always be part of NDNA and I feel privileged to have worked with a lot of great people along the way”.

Meanwhile, NDNA chief executive Purnima Tanuku said that Steel is “an exceptional business leader in the childcare sector with an understanding of the pressures our members face day in, day out”.

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