Deputy Children¹s Commissioner appointed

Children¹s Commissioner Dr Russell Wills has today announced the appointment of Dr Jo Cribb as Deputy Children¹s Commissioner.

Dr Cribb is an experienced leader and researcher in public policy and recently led the preparation of the Green Paper on Vulnerable Children. She is currently on secondment to that role from the Families Commission, where she is Group Manager: Policy and Research.

"I am delighted to have Dr Cribb as my deputy. Her extensive background in public policy and research and her natural leadership skills will be a huge asset to the work that we do," Dr Wills said.

"I recently had the opportunity to work alongside Dr Cribb in her role leading the preparation of the Green Paper. I was impressed with her practical and intelligent approach to a complex project and the respect she gained from those working with her.

"Dr Cribb¹s skills and networks will be invaluable in her new role as Deputy Children¹s Commissioner and are a perfect complement to my skills and networks in health and child protection," Dr Wills said.

Prior to her role at the Families Commission, Dr Cribb led policy work at a number of government agencies, including the Ministry of Social Development, the Department of Internal Affairs and the State Services Commission.

She was awarded a PhD in Public Policy from Victoria University and holds qualifications from Canterbury University and the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

Dr Cribb will formally take up the role as Deputy Children¹s Commissioner on 5 September 2011. The appointment is for five years - the same time period as the current Children¹s Commissioner.

The Deputy Children¹s Commissioner role is a new position, created following the part-time appointment of Dr Russell Wills who will continue his work as a paediatrician at Hawke¹s Bay DHB while Children's Commissioner.

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