The General Social Care Council (GSCC) today announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive – Penny Thompson – to replace its interim Chief Executive, Paul Snell.

Penny will take over the role with the GSCC, which regulates social workers and social work education and training, by 1 April 2010.

A trained social worker, Penny has over twenty years experience in social care and local government, including as Chief Executive of the London Borough of Hackney, and Social Services Director of Sheffield City Council. She is currently co-director of independent public sector consultancy PeysnerThompson Ltd.

Announcing Penny’s appointment, GSCC Chair Rosie Varley said:

“I am delighted that the GSCC has appointed someone of such standing within the social care sector. Penny’s career demonstrates her ability to achieve in the most demanding of circumstances. In particular, her experience of turning around the performance of Sheffield’s social services department, together with her recent experience at NHS-Haringey in the wake of the Baby Peter tragedy, make her an ideal candidate to take forward the GSCC at this critical juncture.”

“I would also like to pay tribute to Paul Snell, our interim Chief Executive, for providing such strong and tenacious leadership through a challenging period of reform for the GSCC.”

Commenting on her appointment, Penny said:

“I am very pleased to take this important role in leading the GSCC as it matures and strengthens its approach to regulation, supported by the Social Work Task Force reforms. This challenging agenda is crucial to protecting the public, and ensuring the GSCC has the confidence and respect of the sector that the profession needs its regulator to have. I am very much looking forward to working with Rosie Varley and the rest of the organisation in taking forward the shared ambitions that we have for the GSCC.”