The Glasgow-headquartered charity delivers support to vulnerable groups, including providing homelessness support and youth services across Scotland.

The new appointment comes after incumbent CEO, Joe Connolly is set to retire at the end of 2019, bringing an end to a career of more than 40 years in social work and care.

Ms Haugh will join the charity from Mary’s Meals International, where she is the CEO.

She has dedicated her career to service in the charitable and public sectors and boasts extensive experience in public finance.

An accountant by profession she started her career in the NHS before spending 14 years in local government.

Ms Haugh joined a newly registered charitable leisure trust in 2007, where she helped lead the organisation as it doubled its income over a five-year period.

As the bicentenary of the charity approaches, Ypeople is committed to futureproofing the charity and supporting positive change in even more people’s lives by growing and innovating the services they provide. Ms Haugh will take up her role as CEO in January 2020.

She said: “I am delighted to be joining this wonderful charity which is making a difference to so many people’s lives. Ypeople is passionate about delivering services that support the most vulnerable members of our society, with them at the very heart of our plans, and I was incredibly impressed by this approach.

“I am excited to be joining Ypeople at as it looks forward to celebrating 200 years of supporting the people of Scotland and I relish the opportunity to grow and develop the services offered, to enable even more people make a positive change in their lives.”

Bertie Hunt, chair of the board of management, said: “We are delighted to announce that Janet will be taking the helm of our organisation. She emerged from a strong field of candidates and impressed the board with her professional experience, passion for our mission and vision for the charity.

“We have no doubt that the background and the expertise Janet will bring to Ypeople are going to be positive for the future of the charity and for the wellbeing of those we support.

“Our long-serving CEO Joe Connolly will be greatly missed. It has been a pleasure to work with him for so many years. The charity would not be where we are today without Joe’s management, expertise and experience.”