Extern has announced the appointment of Leslie Ann Scott to the role of Chief Operating Officer for the organisation.

This new role, operating from the charity’s Dublin base, has been introduced to strengthen service delivery, drive forward internal service improvements, and ensure that service users are placed first and foremost in the organisation’s work.

Ms Scott has worked for Extern for over 25 years, during which time she has held a number of key positions. After initially volunteering with Extern Youth Services this fuelled an ambition to become a Social Worker, which included placement with Extern before becoming qualified.

Relocating to Dublin in 2000 to work for the HSE, Leslie Ann quickly took up secondment to Extern to develop services in Dublin. Following a successful promotion to Programme Manager with Extern Ireland, Leslie Ann was instrumental in the development of Extern Services across the Republic of Ireland, becoming Assistant Director of Services in 2016 and Director of Services from 2021. In recent years, the role has included additional responsibility for directing services in Northern Ireland on an interim basis.

CEO of Extern Colin Hayburn said: “This new role of Chief Operating Officer is pivotal at a time when the need for our services has never been greater. It illustrates our desire to deepen our service delivery as we address more complex difficulties and greater needs in society and our focus on keeping service users first and foremost in all we do."

"I am delighted Leslie Ann has accepted the position and am honoured to work alongside her. I wish her every success in the role.”

Commenting on the new position Ms Scott said: “Throughout my career with Extern, I have been inspired by the commitment and dedication of those I work alongside in supporting the most vulnerable individuals in our society. To be offered the position of COO is both humbling and exciting. I am passionate about what we do, and excited about what we can collectively achieve. I am really looking forward to continuing to build on everything we have already achieved, working together as one team, and one Extern family.”