New chief executive after carers’ charities merge

Carers Trust has announced that Thea Stein will be the chief executive for the new charity, Carers Trust, formed from the merger of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care on 1 April 2012.

Thea is currently the chief executive of Yorkshire Forward, one of the regional development agencies for England. She started her career as a clinical psychologist and family therapist and has spent over 20 years working for health authorities, health boards and local authorities in Scotland and England.

Thea will be starting her new role this September and said: “I’m thrilled to be appointed as chief executive of Carers Trust, the leading charity for carers. There are already six million unpaid carers in the UK and the number is set to increase to nine million as people are living longer lives, particularly disabled people and those with long-term conditions.

“I’m looking forward to working with Carers Trust’s valued network of local carers’ centres and schemes to ensure that carers have the support they need to allow them to continue in their caring role.” The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care have been negotiating for 18 months after a strong working history and successful joint fundraising and policy campaigns.

Andrew Cozens has been appointed chair of trustees at Carers Trust. He said: “I’m extremely pleased that Thea Stein will be joining Carers Trust in September. I know she will be pivotal in making our vision for carers into reality so they have access to the quality support and services they need to live their own lives.”

Anne Roberts, former chief executive of Crossroads Care, is the current chief executive of Carers Trust. Working with staff and partners to lead the new organisation to its next phase towards full integration, she will be stepping down this August. She said: “I’m delighted that Carers Trust is up and running and it’s great to get to this point. The two organisations came together because we believe by working together we could create a more sustainable organisation which was better able to reach carers and support them right across the UK.”

Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, has agreed to be President of Carers Trust, a role she has held at The Princess Royal Trust for Carers since it formed in 1991. Both charities’ networks will continue to provide support to carers under their local brands, and are not expected to merge locally as a result of the national merger.

Carers Trust is the leading carers’ charity, working to improve support, services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems.

In Scotland, Carers Trust continues to be known as The Princess Royal Trust for Carers in Scotland.

Photo: New chief executive of Carers Trust, Thea Stein