Wales' First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, and the Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas have today named Ruth Marks as the new Commissioner for Older People in Wales.
Announcing the appointment in a joint statement to AM's, Rhodri Morgan and Gwenda Thomas said:
"We have great pleasure in announcing that Ruth Marks MBE has been appointed as the first ever Commissioner for Older People in Wales.
"Ruth is currently the Director of RNIB Cymru – a role that she has held since 2005 - and prior to this she was Chief Executive of Chwarae Teg. She was awarded the MBE in 2007 for services to Welfare to Work.
"The Commissioner will be a champion and a voice for older people, in the same way that the Children’s Commissioner has been for children and young people. As with the Children’s Commissioner, the Commissioner for Older People is independent, and her role will be to ensure that the interests of older people in Wales, who are aged 60 or more, are safeguarded, voiced and promoted.
"We are extremely proud that Wales is once again leading the way and setting an example for others to follow. Wales was the first country in the UK to appoint a Children's Commissioner to give children and young people a stronger voice and now we are the first to have a Commissioner to champion the interests of older people.
"Wales is widely recognised as a world-leader in giving older people a greater say in developing the services that affect them. This unique Commissioner will further consolidate Wales' reputation for innovation and partnership working in older people’s policy.
"Ruth is currently the Director of RNIB Cymru – a role that she has held since 2005 - and prior to this she was Chief Executive of Chwarae Teg. She was awarded the MBE in 2007 for services to Welfare to Work.
"The Commissioner will be a champion and a voice for older people, in the same way that the Children’s Commissioner has been for children and young people. As with the Children’s Commissioner, the Commissioner for Older People is independent, and her role will be to ensure that the interests of older people in Wales, who are aged 60 or more, are safeguarded, voiced and promoted.
"We are extremely proud that Wales is once again leading the way and setting an example for others to follow. Wales was the first country in the UK to appoint a Children's Commissioner to give children and young people a stronger voice and now we are the first to have a Commissioner to champion the interests of older people.
"Wales is widely recognised as a world-leader in giving older people a greater say in developing the services that affect them. This unique Commissioner will further consolidate Wales' reputation for innovation and partnership working in older people’s policy.
The Welsh Assembly Government press release announcing the appointment can be seen if you click here
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