The medical charity Operation Smile UK has promoted Mairéad O’Callaghan to the top role of executive director.
O’Callaghan joined the organisation in 2011 as country manager for Operation Smile Ireland before becoming head of individual and legacy giving for the UK and Ireland in 2017.
She succeeds Karen Jaques, who has been appointed to the new role of senior regional vice-president for Africa after five years in post.
O’Callaghan, who will move from Dublin to London to take up the role, worked in the food and education sectors before joining Operation Smile.
Operation Smile, which provides surgery for children born with cleft conditions, said O’Callaghan had been instrumental to the growth of the organisation over the past 10 years.
O’Callaghan said: “I’m immensely honoured to move into this role, and greatly look forward to working with the trustees, staff, and volunteers in the UK, and our colleagues and partners overseas as we continue to overcome inequalities in access to surgical care around the world.
“There is so much to do, and so much that we can and will do together for children born with cleft conditions.”
She will take up her new role on 1 July.