Former council children’s services director Ali Stathers-Tracey has been appointed as chief executive of Child Action Northwest (CANW).

She joins the family support charity after spending much of her career in senior local authority roles, including more than year as Tameside Council’s director of children’s services.

Stathers-Tracey is also a former director of early help and prevention at Cheshire East Council and director of integrated early support at Cheshire West and Chester Council.

She has also held senior children’s services and community safety posts at Liverpool City Council.

“I am really excited to be joining CANW at a time when children, young people and vulnerable adults are facing the most difficult time in terms of meeting the cost of living, dealing with post-Covid household and family pressures and significant changes in local services due to central government spending cuts,” said Stathers-Tracey.

“It has never been more important that CANW has the right people who can respond to changing needs and meet the changing challenges in terms of future funding models.”

Stathers-Tracey replaces Sue Cotton, who is retiring after 12 years in the role.

CANW chair Marguerite Webb said: “Sue’s leadership of CANW has made a lasting mark on the organisation, she has overseen a threefold increase in the number of staff and widened the scope of work carried out.

“The Trustee Board wish her all the very best for this new stage of her life. She has laid strong foundations to support the growth of charity in the coming years.”

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