Barbara Young, Baroness Young of Old Scone
Encyclopedia
Barbara Scott Young, Baroness Young of Old Scone (born 8 April 1948) sits on the cross benches in the House of Lords
. She was created a life peer
in 1997 as Baroness Young of Old Scone, of Old Scone
in Perth and Kinross
.
Baroness Young is currently the Chief Executive
of health charity Diabetes UK
, a position she took up on 1 November 2010.
Following the announcement of her appointment, Barbara Young said:
On starting at Diabetes UK, she said:
Before joining Diabetes UK, Young was involved in the establishment of the Care Quality Commission
(CQC). Then Health Secretary
Alan Johnson
announced the appointment of Baroness Young as chair of the organisation on 15 April 2008. The announcement followed an independent recruitment exercise conducted by the Appointments Commission and a pre-appointment scrutiny hearing. by the Health Select Committee
, which subsequently endorsed Barbara Young for appointment as the CQC chair. She held this position until 1 February 2010.
Prior to taking up the post of chair of the CQC, Barbara Young was the chief executive of the Environment Agency
(2000 – May 2008), an appointment which led to her becoming a cross-bencher
in the House of Lords
; previously she had taken the Labour Party
whip. Other posts she has held include chair of English Nature
; vice chairman of the BBC
; board member of AWG plc
; Chief Executive of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
and of a number of local health authorities, including Parkside Health Authority.
In 2010 Barbara Young was appointed Chancellor of Cranfield University
.
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
. She was created a life peer
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
in 1997 as Baroness Young of Old Scone, of Old Scone
Scone, Scotland
Scone is a village in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. The medieval village of Scone, which grew up around the monastery and royal residence, was abandoned in the early 19th century when the residents were removed and a new palace was built on the site by the Earl of Mansfield...
in Perth and Kinross
Perth and Kinross
Perth and Kinross is one of 32 council areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy Area. It borders onto the Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee City, Fife, Clackmannanshire, Stirling, Argyll and Bute and Highland council areas. Perth is the administrative centre...
.
Baroness Young is currently the Chief Executive
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of health charity Diabetes UK
Diabetes UK
Diabetes UK is a patient, healthcare professional and research charity dedicated to improving the lives of people with diabetes and to working towards a future without the chronic condition diabetes....
, a position she took up on 1 November 2010.
Following the announcement of her appointment, Barbara Young said:
"I am thrilled to have been given this opportunity to lead Diabetes UK. There is no doubt that diabetes is one of the most important health issues facing the UK today and is a growing challenge for the future. I'm looking forward to taking on that challenge and helping to make a real difference to the lives of people with diabetes."
On starting at Diabetes UK, she said:
"Taking on the mantle of Chief Executive means consolidating and improving the good work the charity does. Diabetes UK has three strategic priorities to achieve – quality care for all, healthy lifestyle and research for a better life. Everyone who works and volunteers for Diabetes UK is involved in achieving these goals… I will ensure that I lead Diabetes UK to achieve the three strategic priorities efficiently and cost-effectively, which will have the greatest impact on the lives of the people we represent."
Before joining Diabetes UK, Young was involved in the establishment of the Care Quality Commission
Care Quality Commission
The Care Quality Commission is a non-departmental public body of the United Kingdom government established in 2009 to regulate and inspect health and social care services in England. This includes services provided by the NHS, local authorities, private companies and voluntary organisations -...
(CQC). Then Health Secretary
Health Secretary
Health secretary can refer to:*The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Scotland*The Secretary of State for Health, United Kingdom...
Alan Johnson
Alan Johnson
Alan Arthur Johnson is a British Labour Party politician who served as Home Secretary from June 2009 to May 2010. Before that, he filled a wide variety of cabinet positions in both the Blair and Brown governments, including Health Secretary and Education Secretary. Until 20 January 2011 he was...
announced the appointment of Baroness Young as chair of the organisation on 15 April 2008. The announcement followed an independent recruitment exercise conducted by the Appointments Commission and a pre-appointment scrutiny hearing. by the Health Select Committee
Health Select Committee
The Health Select Committee is one of the Select Committees of the British House of Commons. It oversees the operations of the Department of Health and its associated bodies.-Membership:...
, which subsequently endorsed Barbara Young for appointment as the CQC chair. She held this position until 1 February 2010.
Prior to taking up the post of chair of the CQC, Barbara Young was the chief executive of the Environment Agency
Environment Agency
The Environment Agency is a British non-departmental public body of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and an Assembly Government Sponsored Body of the Welsh Assembly Government that serves England and Wales.-Purpose:...
(2000 – May 2008), an appointment which led to her becoming a cross-bencher
Cross-bencher
A crossbencher is an independent or minor party member of some legislatures, such as the British House of Lords and Australian Senate. They take their name from the crossbenches, between and perpendicular to the government and opposition benches, where crossbenchers sit in the chamber; compare...
in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
; previously she had taken the Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
whip. Other posts she has held include chair of English Nature
English Nature
English Nature was the United Kingdom government agency that promoted the conservation of wildlife, geology and wild places throughout England between 1990 and 2006...
; vice chairman of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
; board member of AWG plc
AWG plc
AWG plc was a British holding company which is parent to Anglian Water. It was previously listed on the London Stock Exchange and was a member of the FTSE 250 Index but it is now owned by the Osprey consortium...
; Chief Executive of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Bird Notes and News was first published in April 1903.The title changed to 'Bird Notes' in 1947. In the 1950s, there were four copies per year . Each volume covered two years, spread over three calendar years...
and of a number of local health authorities, including Parkside Health Authority.
In 2010 Barbara Young was appointed Chancellor of Cranfield University
Cranfield University
Cranfield University is a British postgraduate university based on two campuses, with a research-oriented focus. The main campus is at Cranfield, Bedfordshire and the second is the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom based at Shrivenham, Oxfordshire. The main campus is unique in the United...
.