Barbara Young, Baroness Young of Old Scone

Barbara Scott Young, Baroness Young of Old Scone (born 8 April 1948 in Perth, Scotland)^[1] is a member of the House of Lords. She was created a life peer on 4 November 1997 as Baroness Young of Old Scone, of Old Scone in Perth and Kinross.^[2]

Baroness Young is currently the Chief Executive of health charity Diabetes UK, a position she took up on 1 November 2010.

Following the announcement of her appointment, Barbara Young said:

"I am thrilled to have been given this opportunity to lead Diabetes UK. There is no doubt that diabetes is one of the most important health issues facing the UK today and is a growing challenge for the future. I'm looking forward to taking on that challenge and helping to make a real difference to the lives of people with diabetes."^[3]

On starting at Diabetes UK, she said:

"Taking on the mantle of Chief Executive means consolidating and improving the good work the charity does. Diabetes UK has three strategic priorities to achieve – quality care for all, healthy lifestyle and research for a better life. Everyone who works and volunteers for Diabetes UK is involved in achieving these goals… I will ensure that I lead Diabetes UK to achieve the three strategic priorities efficiently and cost-effectively, which will have the greatest impact on the lives of the people we represent."^[4]

Before joining Diabetes UK, Young was involved in the establishment of the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Then Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced the appointment of Baroness Young as chair of the organisation on 15 April 2008.^[5] The announcement followed an independent recruitment exercise conducted by the Appointments Commission and a pre-appointment scrutiny hearing.^[6] by the Health Select Committee, which subsequently endorsed Barbara Young for appointment as the CQC chair. She held this position until 1 February 2010.^[7]

Prior to taking up the post of chair of the CQC, Barbara Young was the chief executive of the Environment Agency (2000 – May 2008), an appointment which led to her becoming a non-affiliated member in the House of Lords; previously she had taken the Labour Party whip. Other posts she has held include chair of English Nature; vice chairman of the BBC; board member of AWG plc; Chief Executive of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and of a number of local health authorities, including Parkside Health Authority.

In 2010 Barbara Young was appointed Chancellor of Cranfield University.

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