On the move

Children’s charity NCB has appointed Jane Lewis as its new research, evidence and evaluation director. She will be responsible for developing and managing NCB’s research and evaluation programme and developing relationships with funders, clients and other stakeholders. Lewis was previously director of the qualitative research unit at the National Centre for Social Research.

Lord Toby Harris has been appointed chair of the new Institute of Commissioning Professionals. Other members of its national council include Warwick Tomsett from Lewisham Council Wendi Ogle-Welbourn from Bedfordshire Council, Steve Pullan from Blackpool Council, and Lucy Vaughan from Southwark Council.   www.commissioning.org.uk

Simon Baron-Cohen is the new patron of Speaking Up, a charity that provides advocacy projects, services and resources for people with learning difficulties and mental health problems. Baron-Cohen is professor of developmental psychopathology at the University of Cambridge, and director of the Autism Research Centre (ARC) in Cambridge.

Tracscare, which provides residential care for vulnerable adults, has appointed Chris Perks as regional director for England. Perks has previously managed homes for clients with autism and overseen residential, domiciliary and outreach care for adults with learning disabilities.