Children's charity leader to be next Commissioner

MSPs will be invited to agree to Nicola Killean becoming the next Commissioner for Children and Young People in Scotland.

A motion to agree the choice of Ms Killean, following an open recruitment process, will be considered by the Parliament tomorrow (26 April), after which her nomination would be submitted to the King for appointment.

Ms Killean is set to succeed Bruce Adamson who leaves the position next month following the completion of his term of office.

Nicola Killean OBE was the first employee of the charity Sistema Scotland in 2007 and worked with the board to create and grow the organisation to a charity of national significance. She has had a particular focus throughout her career in creating opportunities for children and young people from more disadvantaged communities.

Sistema Scotland supports children and young people to gain vital life skills such as confidence, resilience, team work, pride, creativity, and aspiration, and aims to strengthen community cohesion and tackle inequalities in some of Scotland’s most disadvantaged areas.

It delivers a social change programme called Big Noise in five cities in Scotland, using music and nurturing relationships to support over 3,500 children and young people in Scotland.

Ms Killean was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours list for 2020, for services to music, children and community cohesion.

The position of Commissioner attracts a starting salary of £77,260 and is for a single term of six years.