Paula Kerr, vice-chair for Christian disability charity Livability, has been appointed as its new chair.

Having been a trustee for the charity since 2009, being appointed vice-chair for the past year, Kerr takes over from Baroness Howarth of Breckland, who remains with the charity as its president after four years in the chair.

Handing over the boardroom reins, Baroness Howarth said: "I am extremely pleased to welcome Paula as Livability’s new chair. Her experience in the not-for-profit sector and her knowledge of disability issues are tremendous and will prove invaluable to the charity."

Kerr has significant experience in the healthcare sector having  spent a number of years at Smithkiline Beecham Pharmaceuticals working with  board directors on product developments and acquisitions. She has also served on the boards of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic Health Authority, Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust and Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust.