The Dame Kelly Holmes Trust has appointed Gail Scott-Spicer as its next chief executive.

Scott-Spicer was the chief executive of the Carers Trust, a charity for unpaid carers, between February 2015 and May 2017, according to her LinkedIn profile, and before that was director of marketing and communications at the Scout Association for six years.

She is also vice-chair of CharityComms, the membership body for charity communications professionals, and is deputy chair of the Money Advice Trust.

Scott-Spicer replaces interim chief executive Tracey Fletcher, who was appointed in June when Emma Atkins left after nine years in the role.

Scott-Spicer will take up her role at the trust on 4 September.  

The trust was established by the 2004 double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes in 2008 and trains world-class athletes to deliver programmes to disadvantaged young people.

The trust’s annual income has more than tripled in recent years, to £3.7m in 2016 from about £916,000 in 2012. The increase can be attributed largely to securing funding from Sport England to expand the trust’s Get on Track programme.  

Michael Kelly, chair of the trust, said in a statement: “We had some truly exceptional candidates shortlisted as part of a widespread selection process. However, Gail stood out for her passion and innovation, which will be crucial for us in terms of reaching our ambitious 2020 vision and goals.”

Scott-Spicer added: “The trust’s trained workforce of hundreds of world-class athletes is a phenomenal vehicle for change in young people and communities. It will be a real privilege to work with this high-performing group and continue to develop the support and training we offer them to benefit society through the trust’s programmes.”