The current Director General for Communities at the Scottish government, Paul Johnston, has been appointed the new Chief Executive of Public Health Scotland.

The former lawyer and long-time government employee, who currently leads a portfolio that includes human rights, public sector reform and housing, will take up the reins of Scotland’s public health agency in March 2023.

Mr Johnston said he is delighted to be joining Public Health Scotland at what is a crucial time for the organisation:

"I have seen at first hand the excellent work of Public Health Scotland through the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I look forward to working with colleagues across the organisation and with partners as we take forward vital work to prevent disease, prolong healthy life and promote health and wellbeing, bringing my experience of leading work across government on tackling inequality and delivering better outcomes for the people of Scotland."

The appointment follows the announcement back in September of the retirement of Public Health Scotland’s first chief executive, Angela Leitch, who pledged to stay on in the role until her successor is in post.

Ms Leitch has been at the helm of the organisation since its creation in April 2020. She has recently taken up a voluntary position on the board of homeless charity Cyrenians.

The incoming chief executive, Mr Johnston, will bring more than 20 years of public sector experience, including leading on cross-government work on tackling child poverty and COVID-19 recovery.

His appointment has been applauded by the Chair of Public Health Scotland, the Health Secretary and local authority organisation COSLA.

Councillor Paul Kelly, the Health and Social Care Spokesperson of COSLA – a co-sponsor with the government of Public Health Scotland – says he very much welcomes the appointment of Mr Johnston:

“Not only does Paul bring a wealth of public sector and leadership experience to this vital role as we emerge from the pandemic, he also brings a sound knowledge of Local Government. That is why this is a good appointment and COSLA as co-sponsors of PHS welcomes it.”

Prior to taking up his role as Director-General for Communities (previously known as Director-General for Education, Communities and Justice) in July 2017, Mr Johnston was Director for Safer Communities with responsibility for police, defence and drugs policy.

He has been part of Scotland’s senior civil service since October 2007, before which he was a member of the Scottish government legal directorate.

Scotland’s Health Secretary Humza Yousaf says he is looking forward to working closely with Mr Johnston as they strive to improve health and wellbeing for everyone:

"Public Health Scotland plays a vital role in tackling Scotland’s health challenges and I’m delighted that someone with Paul’s experience in working across a wide range of portfolios across government, will be at the forefront as we emerge from the pandemic and the additional pressures it has brought.

"His work on public service reform, COVID recovery and poverty – which can be a major factor in ill-health – will be particularly important.”

Angiolina Foster, Chair of Public Health Scotland, said she is confident Mr Johnston can build on Public Health Scotland’s early achievements:

"Paul has a wealth of public sector leadership experience, and has driven forward significant initiatives across many of the building blocks of health, including housing, justice, human rights, and education. This expertise is coupled with an unwavering commitment to tackling inequalities and improving outcomes for people and communities.

"I am confident therefore that when Paul takes up the mantle from Angela Leitch in March, he will build on the achievements of the organisation’s first three years and help us ensure that we make a genuine difference for the people of Scotland."

 

Read more: Ex NHS Board CEO to chair Public Health Scotland; GP capacity at lowest level in a decade; Spike in new born baby deaths to be reviewed

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