A local Dorset-based charity supporting bereaved children is welcoming its new CEO.

Mosaic, which is based in Milborne St Andrew, Blandford Forum, provides counselling and support to thousands of children, young people and their families across the county.

Its new chief executive is Jo Revill, formerly CEO of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Her experience includes working as a non-executive director of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, a global leader in child health innovation.

She takes over the reins from Cathy Gilpin, who has led Mosaic for the past 18 months and leaves to pursue her counselling career.

Karen Parnell, Chair of Trustees said: "We are delighted to welcome Jo to Mosaic as CEO. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the charity along with passion and commitment to improving young people’s lives. We are looking forward to working with Jo as she further develops Mosaic’s offer to our children, young people and families.

"We are very grateful to Cathy for all her work at Mosaic and wish her every success in her new role."

Ms Revill said: "I am looking forward to working with our skilled and dedicated staff, army of volunteers and trustees over the coming years to ensure that we can continue to meet the needs of so many children and families.  

"Our work is unique and essential, and we are lucky to be part of a rich network of charities and bodies across Dorset who do so much for families, often in very difficult circumstances."

Ms Revill, who grew up and went to school in Dorchester, began her career as a newspaper journalist, working for the London Evening Standard and the Observer as a health editor. She worked as a special adviser to the Labour minister Alan Johnson when he was Health Secretary, and then moved into senior management. Jo was CEO at the British Society for Immunology and then the RCPCH, where she ran services supporting thousands of paediatricians in the UK and abroad, helping them to campaign for the health of young people during Covid.

Mosaic works with children and families from across the county, and in 2022 supported more than 400 children and young people who had been bereaved. The charity offers bereavement training to schools across Dorset and runs a host of activities to support their mission.