Mental health charity Anna Freud announces new Chief Executive
Professor Eamon McCrory succeeds Professor Peter Fonagy CBE who steps down after more than two decades.
Anna Freud, a mental health charity for children and young people, today announces the appointment of world-leading trauma expert and Consultant Clinical Psychologist Professor Eamon McCrory as Chief Executive.
Professor McCrory has held numerous senior positions since joining Anna Freud in 2006. Most recently he served as Co-Director of the Clinical, and Education and Training divisions and Co-Director of the UK Trauma Council, an Anna Freud initiative. With over 20 years of research and clinical experience, he is also Professor of Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology at University College London (UCL).
His appointment follows Professor Peter Fonagy’s decision to step down as Anna Freud’s CEO after more than 20 years. One of Professor Fonagy’s key legacies is expanding the scope and impact of Anna Freud, including pioneering many innovative mental health interventions and positioning the charity as a leader in the field. Thanks to his leadership, the charity now encompasses a wide range of expertise including neuroscience, social care and education, and is conducting some of the UK’s leading randomised trials in child mental health. Professor Fonagy – who was awarded a CBE earlier this year - will continue his role as Head of the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences at UCL.
Professor McCrory is renowned for his research on the impact of childhood trauma on emotional development and mental health, utilising brain imaging and psychological approaches. His work has concentrated on understanding the brain’s role in the development of mental health problems following trauma and adversity, along with the significance of the child’s social world. His focus on driving forward innovation, mental health prevention and improving access to the latest scientific and clinical insights will underpin his vision for Anna Freud, a charity that has been supporting children and young people for over 70 years.
Professor Eamon McCrory, CEO of Anna Freud, said:
“It is a privilege to take on the role of CEO at Anna Freud, succeeding my colleague Professor Peter Fonagy. Peter’s unmatched expertise in science, practice and clinical implementation makes him utterly unique in our field. On behalf of everyone at Anna Freud, I would like to thank him for his many dedicated years leading the charity and for everything he has done for children and young people, helping them build happier and mentally healthier lives.
“With these solid foundations, Anna Freud will continue to leverage the latest advances in science and clinical practice to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the next generation. I also plan to expand our reach and impact, empowering many thousands more with the skills and knowledge they need to support children, young people and families.
“Addressing the mental health of children and young people, and making a step change in prevention, are now urgent societal priorities, highlighted in our recent Thinking differently manifesto. By integrating science with the voices of young people, parents and carers, and by working in close collaboration with our partners and the wider sector, I believe that together we can rise to the challenge.”
Read Anna Freud’s current five-year Closing the Gap strategy here and find out more about the charity’s Thinking differently manifesto here.