26 October 2007
Prof Keith Fox, Chair of the Board of ASH Scotland and Duke of Edinburgh Professor of Cardiology at the Edinburgh University Centre for Cardiovascular Science, today [Friday] announced that the new Chief Executive of ASH Scotland is to be Sheila Duffy, the organisation’s current Director of Information and Communications. The post became vacant when Maureen Moore OBE, the current Chief Executive announced she was retiring at the end of the year. Commenting on the appointment, Prof Fox said:
“I am delighted to announce that following a competitive and rigorous interview process, the Board of ASH Scotland has appointed Sheila Duffy as the new Chief Executive of ASH Scotland. Sheila has a long and distinguished career in tobacco control and the Board is in no doubt that she is the ideal person to face the continuing challenges of tobacco control in Scotland. Sheila started working for ASH Scotland in 1995 and has been in her current position as Director of Information and Communications since 2003.
“24% of deaths in Scotland are due to smoking, with some areas rising to as much as 34%, and thousands of others are affected by tobacco related diseases. This means thousands of families across Scotland have to deal with ill-health and bereavement. These deaths and illnesses of loved ones are preventable though if we can reduce smoking rates and increase smoking cessation and prevention work across the country. ASH Scotland plays a vital role in training cessation advisers, funding and evaluating cessation projects, especially in areas of inequalities, providing comprehensive information, policy, and research, as well as developing and supporting networks and alliances involved in tobacco control. We are looking forward to Sheila now continuing to build and develop this vital work for Scotland.”
Commenting on her new position, Sheila Duffy said:
“I’m passionate about the important work ASH Scotland does and want to continue to take the organisation from strength to strength. Maureen Moore has been an excellent Chief Executive, her contribution to tobacco control in Scotland has been outstanding and I plan to continue that work and expand the services of ASH Scotland.
“Whilst 13,500 people across Scotland are dying from tobacco every year, then it is clear that ASH Scotland, as the leading organisation in tobacco control in Scotland, still has a lot of work to do. I am looking forward to my new post immensely and to the challenges ahead.”
Maureen Moore will retire from her post in December 2007 and Sheila Duffy will take up her new post in January 2008. Sheila Duffy is available for interview.
ENDS
For further information please contact Jeanette Campbell, 0131 220 9466.
Notes to editors:
1. ASH Scotland is the leading voluntary organisation campaigning for effective tobacco control measures.
2. Sheila Duffy is available for embargoed interviews on Thursday 25 October.
3. A biography and photo of Sheila Duffy are available on request.
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