New post for former health board chairman

The appointment has been approved by Glasgow City Council’s Executive Committee and Mr Robertson will take on the voluntary post with immediate effect.

Established by the council in 2012, the Carer’s Champion is expected to the represent the collective views of the city’s carers within the council and also speak independently on carer issues.

Mr Robertson will be tasked with raising the profile of unpaid carers across the council and its wider network of agencies while also helping to develop strategies and policies that will support carers.

With twenty-two years of service on the NHS GCC board, as well as experience as the Vice President of the Carer’s Trust, Mr Robertson was identified as the ideal candidate for the position.

Councillor Matt Kerr, the council’s Executive Member for Families, Health and Social Care, expressed his delight that someone with Mr Robertson’s extensive knowledge of the health and care systems is taking on the job.

Councillor Kerr said: “Andrew Robertson has a wealth of experience that makes him exceptionally well-placed to take on the role of Glasgow’s Carer’s Champion.

“He is widely respected, very approachable and knows his way around the public sector. He sits apart from the political fray but still knows how to get things done.”

The Carer’s Champion sits on the council’s Carer’s Reference Group, which acts as a forum for carers and the council to discuss issues of concern.

Mr Robertson said he relished the opportunity presented to him by becoming Carer’s Champion.

He said: “It’s not for me to set the agenda as carer’s champion, but it’s an agenda that will be set through discussions with carers.