A charity which offers help to families of sick and disabled children in the UK has appointed a new CEO.

Gill Gibb has taken on the role at Tree of Hope, which supports children who need specialist medical surgery, treatment, therapy and equipment.

Her previous roles include chief executive of the Canterbury Oast Trust and managing director of the Charity Employees Benevolent Fund.

Mrs Gibb's appointment comes as the Tunbridge Wells-based charity continues to strengthen its team.

Tree of Hope supports fundraising to help pay for specialist medical treatment, therapy and equipment which is not ordinarily available.

This includes funding treatment by medical specialists abroad, where the specific knowledge and facilities are available, in order to treat children as quickly as possible.

Mrs Gibb said: “This is a terrific opportunity to take the helm at one of the most inspiring and respected national children’s charities.

“This is a terrific opportunity to take the helm at one of the most inspiring and respected national children’s charities" - Gill Gibb

"I’m thrilled to have joined such a dedicated and hard working team and have been deeply impressed by their passion for helping poorly youngsters.

“Tree of Hope is an amazing charity that helps to transform the lives of children throughout the UK andNorthern Ireland. I’m looking forward enormously to leading the organisation through the next stage of its development.”

Kevin Werry, Tree of Hope chairman, said: “My fellow trustees and I are excited to welcome Gill. Her appointment demonstrates our commitment to strengthening the partnerships we have with our families and supporters, and to delivering the best possible outcomes for every child we support.”

Mrs Gibb is also a treasurer for the youth homeless charity Centrepoint and was previously market development director of the Social Investment Business and director of business development for Charities Aid Foundation.

There she led the team which won the Queen's Award for Enterprise in the area of innovation - the first charity to achieve this.

Prior to this, Mrs Gibb spent 18 years in retail financial services.

For more information about Tree of Hope visit www.treeofhope.org.uk or follow the charity on Twitter at @TreeofHopeCC