Samaritans has appointed Ruth Sutherland as its new chief executive; she will succeed Catherine Johnstone who will be stepping down in August from the post after six years.

Sutherland will join Samaritans from personal relationship support charity Relate. She has been the chief executive of the organisation for the last three years. Sutherland has also held senior leadership roles with Scope, the Alzheimer’s Society and Rethink Mental Illness.

Jenni McCartney, chair of Samaritans, said: "The board and I are extremely pleased with the appointment as Ruth is ideally placed to provide the leadership and passion we need to take the organisation forward in the coming months and years.

“Her invaluable experience in both the public and voluntary sector, including her work with volunteers, will bring both the experience and stability the organisation needs to provide the best possible service to everyone who needs us and ultimately deliver on our vital mission to reduce suicide.”

Sutherland will be helping spearhead a new “ambitious, six-year strategy” at Samaritans which was launched yesterday. Called ‘Working Together to Reduce Suicide’, it will focus on improving Samaritans’ service, increasing its influence and reaching more people in need of support, including those most at risk and vulnerable groups.

Sutherland, who is also a qualified nurse, said: “My work to date has involved many of the key groups and causes of distress and crisis that Samaritans responds to on a daily basis.

“I am really looking forward to getting to know the organisation and - most importantly - all the people who make Samaritans what it is today, so that I can play my part in the important work we have to do going forward to make the real difference needed.”