The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) has appointed the Scottish government's head of public service reform and efficiency to take over from Jane Ryder as chief executive upon her departure in October.
David Robb will be the second chief executive at OSCR when he takes the reins from Ryder, who has led the regulator since it launched in 2003.
OSCR's current chair, Dr Graham Forbes commented:
"From her appointment in 2003, Jane, with OSCR's first chair, John Naylor, has played an instrumental role in establishing and developing a robust, modern regulatory framework in which the public can have confidence. Scotland owes them a real debt of gratitude.
"Now, in David Robb, we have appointed an outstanding candidate as chief executive, to lead the organisation in this critical period of future development. David joins an incredibly strong team, and our board and staff are very much looking forward to working with him."
Robb previously worked as director of policy and development at the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman from October 2007 - March 2010 and was head of the Scottish government's Public Bodies Policy Division. From 2001 - 2003 he was a policy adviser in the First Minister's Policy Unit and also worked as head of the NHS Workforce Development Unit from 2002 - 2004.
Ryder announced her retirement in May this year, saying: “It has always been my plan to leave at this point, with OSCR firmly established and operational as an effective regulator, and I am ready for new challenges.
“For OSCR too this is the right time for the introduction of a new chief executive with new thinking and insights, and who will be fortunate to lead such an exceptional staff and step into such an interesting and worthwhile role.”
Naylor also retired at the end of his fixed term of appointment earlier this year.
Robb will now take OSCR through the launch of its new website, OSCR Online, which will introduce online filing for Scottish charities, among his many tasks to follow.
Robb said: "I feel hugely privileged to take on such a well-established organisation and play a major role in the challenges and opportunities ahead.
"Over the past years OSCR has shown itself to be a strong and greatly valued organisation and I'm very much looking forward to meeting as many as possible in the charity sector to hear their views and thoughts as we shape our future priorities," he added.
