In a major switch-up in the third sector, the children and young people’s mental health charity, Anna Freud, has announced it is promoting world-leading expert Professor Eamon McCrory to the position of CEO.
Prof McCrory has been at Anna Freud since 2006 where he has held a number of leadership roles, with the most recent being the co-director of the clinical as well as the education and training facets of the organisation. Prof McCrory similarly is co-director of the UK Trauma Council (an Anna Freud initiative).
He also holds a professorship at University College London (UCL) in developmental neuroscience and psychopathology.
Urgent priorities
“Addressing the mental health of children and young people, and making a step change in prevention, are now urgent societal priorities, highlighted in our recent Thinking differently manifesto,” said the new CEO.
“By integrating science with the voices of young people, parents and carers, and by working in close collaboration with our partners and the wider sector, I believe that together we can rise to the challenge.”
Prof McCrory is known for investigating how childhood trauma impacts emotional development and mental health through his brain imaging and psychological approaches.
He has specifically concentrated on how the brain is involved in the development of mental health issues following trauma and adversity, along with how big of a part a child’s social world plays.
Following big footsteps
The news comes after now-former CEO Professor Peter Fonagy announced his decision to step down after more than 20 years in the role.
Prof Fonagy helped to expand the scope and influence of Anna Freud, with the charity now boasting expertise in a wide range of areas, including:
- Neuroscience
- Social care
- Education
The charity is also currently conducting some of the country’s leading clinical trials in child mental health.
“Peter’s unmatched expertise in science, practice and clinical implementation makes him utterly unique in our field,” said the incoming CEO on the outgoing CEO. “On behalf of everyone at Anna Freud, I would like to thank him for his many dedicated years leading the charity and for everything he has done for children and young people, helping them build happier and mentally healthier lives.”
Describing the role as a “privilege”, Prof McCrory says that he intends to follow in Prof Fonagy’s footsteps and look to further expand the reach and impact of Anna Freud, which celebrated its 70th anniversary during 2022.
Prof Fonagy – who was awarded a CBE earlier this year – is staying on at UCL as head of the division of psychology and language sciences.
The news comes shortly after another major switch in the mental health sector, with current Maudsley Charity CEO, Rebecca Gray, announced as Sean Duggan’s replacement as the NHS Confederation’s new mental health network director late last month.
Image credit: Anna Freud
![[Left to right] Prof. Ronan Killeen - Consultant Radiologist at St. Vincent's Private Hospital, Andy Wilks - Head of Enterprise Services for Siemens Healthineers Great Britain and Ireland, Edel O’Keeffe - Director of Finance at St. Vincent's Private Hospital, Ghada Trotabas - Managing Director of Siemens Healthineers Great Britain and Ireland, Brian Fitzgerald - Chief Executive Officer of St. Vincent's Private Hospital with Grania Heal – Country Head for Ireland at Siemens Healthineers, and Rob Ruttledge](/sites/nhe/files/styles/teaser/public/2024-09/Press%20release%20image-24.jpg?itok=gHKP-rtG)
