A charity that supports families living with Huntingon’s disease has appointed a new chief executive.
The Scottish Huntington’s Association yesterday named Alistair Haw as its boss following the retirement of John Eden, who left the charity after 11 years in the top role.
Haw has worked with the charity for five years in the role of national care framework lead.
The charity said he has worked closely with families and health and social care professionals to lead the development of the first National Care Framework for Huntington’s Disease.
SHA said the incurable disease can rob people of the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink, make rational decisions and care for themselves.
Prior to joining the charity, Haw worked as a political and media advisor in both the UK and Scottish parliaments. He serves as a trustee of both the youth charity Glasgow 278 (Netherlee) Boys’ Brigade, and the Neurological Alliance of Scotland.
Haw said he was hugely grateful for the support he has been shown and promised to lead the charity as new “potential treatments appear on the horizon”.
Catherine Martin, chair of the board of trustees at SHA, said: “Many of our families know Alistair through his work to develop the National Care Framework, which has been a huge success for the HD community in Scotland.
“During a full external recruitment process the board was greatly excited by the vision Alistair set out for the future of the charity, and we look forward to working with him and all staff and supporters on this in the years ahead.”