Terrence Higgins Trust appoints former HIV Scotland chair as interim CEO
HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust has appointed a new interim CEO, to replace former head Dr Rosemary Gillespie.
The charity, which campaigns on issues around HIV and AIDS, announced today that former Trustee Jackie Morton has been appointed to head the company, until a permanent replacement is found.
THT said in a statement: “”As Chair of HIV Scotland until earlier this year, Jackie established a ground-breaking new model of governance for the organisation.
“She remains actively engaged in the design of the Stigma Index 2015, the UK Community Advisory Board (a network of community HIV treatment advocates), and the British HIV Association (BHIVA) primary care project.
During her forty year career in the NHS, until retirement in 2011, Jackie led many multi-disciplinary and professional teams through hugely successful and pivotal quality change programmes that will have great relevance to her work as interim Chief Executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust.”
Dr Rosemary Gillespie was asked to step down earlier this month, with the board saying: “A change of leadership is needed for the next stage of the organisation’s development.”
However, Dr Gillespie said she felt she had been treated “unfairly” at the charity.
She said she did not fall out with her staff, and accused the board of “not having the stomach” to see through her changes to the charity’s structure.
Dr Gillespie added: “I was surprised and disappointed and I do not think I have been treated well.”
“I have done nothing wrong. A number of people have left since I joined, as you would expect during a significant period of change. Perhaps people should look more closely at the board’s leadership and the detrimental impact their leadership is having on people who use THT’s services.”
