Martin Crewe, Barnardo’s director in Scotland announces today that he will be retiring this summer. Martin has worked for the charity for 28 years and has held the director post for the past 19 years.
Barnardo’s works with children, young people and families across the UK. Last year, the charity helped 12,200 children, young people, parents and carers in Scotland through 160 services. Martin said: “I’m proud of what has been achieved during my time as director, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic period when Barnardo’s provided vital support to thousands of families across Scotland.”
Martin has taken a keen interest in charity leadership and was recently appointed as Vice Chair of Charity Leadership Scotland. He was a member of the board of OSCR (Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator) when it was first formed and helped establish Evaluation Support Scotland. Martin has also recently completed doctoral research on charity leadership and is keen to continue this work over the coming years.
He said: “Although it will be a wrench to leave Barnardo’s, it will allow me to focus on developing the next generation of charity leaders through my work with Edinburgh Napier University and Charity Leadership Scotland.”
Other career highlights included chairing the Scottish Government’s programme board for implementation of GIRFEC (Getting it Right For Every Child) and helping to oversee the merger process that created Edinburgh College. He added: “I have been extremely lucky to work with many inspirational colleagues both within Barnardo’s and across public services more widely. Most of all I would like to thank the many children, young people and families that it has been my privilege to work with.”
Lynn Perry, chief executive of Barnardo’s, said: “The work Martin has overseen in Scotland in the past 19 years has helped countless children, young people and families. He’s played a leading role in developing vital services that transform children’s life chances, and he’s been a passionate advocate for lifting children out of poverty. On behalf of everyone at Barnardo’s, I want to take this opportunity to thank him for his service and to wish him all the very best for the future.”