Victims and Survivors Service NI Chief Executive, Andrew Walker.
The Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) has appointed Andrew Walker is its new Chief Executive Officer following a recruitment process.
As Chief Executive, Andrew will play a critical role in leading the organisation and ensuring the effective delivery of its support and services to victims and survivors who have been impacted by the Troubles/conflict, Historical Institutional Abuse, and Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses.
As Accounting Officer, he will also oversee all matters relating to financial propriety and economic administration of the organisation.
Andrew is a Chartered Accountant by background and has been working with the VSS for more than six years. Prior to becoming CEO, he has held a number of roles across the VSS Senior Management Team, including Head of Corporate Services and Head of Service Development.
Prior to joining the VSS, Andrew was Corporate Accountant with the Special EU Programmes Body which is responsible for the delivery of EU Funding Programmes in Northern Ireland and the Border Region.
The VSS is an Arm’s Length Body of The Executive Office (TEO), and its aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of victims and survivors.
Andrew has played a critical role in the extension of VSS services in recent years as it evolved from supporting victims and survivors of the Troubles/conflict, to now also supporting survivors of Historical Institutional Abuse, and those impacted by Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses.
Andrew has a degree in Economics and Accounting from Queen’s University Belfast.
Chief Executive of the Victims and Survivors Service, Andrew Walker said:
“I am thrilled to be appointed Chief Executive of the VSS. Since joining the organisation in 2017, I have had the opportunity to work with a fantastic team who are entirely dedicated to the people we serve every day. The VSS is proud to play an important role, alongside our community partners, in supporting victims and survivors to lead more healthy, fulfilling lives. That drives us forward in our work and I hope to be able to continue to deliver on this important work as Chief Executive.”
Chair of the VSS, Oliver Wilkinson said:
“Andrew has played an integral role in the Victims and Survivors Service during the past six years and his contribution has been critical in getting the organisation to where it is today. We are very pleased to be able to appoint him in a permanent capacity as the Chief Executive, and know he will lead from the front, motivate the team and continue to deliver excellent support services to some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”