Wallace’s background includes senior positions at Victim Support Scotland and Barnardo’s and she has long been a champion of strategies that tackle the root causes of inequality and support people facing challenges.

In her new role, Wallace will spearhead Cyrenians through a critical period for homelessness prevention in Scotland, bringing her knowledge to the organisation’s operations supporting people who are homeless, or facing poverty and exclusion.

With 47 services in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Falkirk and nationally, Cyrenians’ services include mediation, supporting residential communities for young people and women fleeing abusive relationships, a green skills centre, as well as drug and alcohol recovery communities. 

Wallace, who has started the new role, said: “I started my career in homelessness 31 years ago, and was struck then how early years trauma and social stigma often exacerbated the problems facing the young people I worked with.

“I have long admired the work of Cyrenians and I am delighted to be taking on leadership of this fantastic organisation which understands that homelessness is rarely experienced in a vacuum and must be understood as much a side effect of broken systems, inequality, and cyclical poverty, as it is a lack of housing.”

Wallace added: “At a time when too many people are being pushed into crisis, I want to build on Cyrenians’ strong foundations and work alongside staff, volunteers, partners and the people we support to drive lasting systemic change. 

“Prevention must be at the heart of how we tackle homelessness, and Scotland is in a prime position to take a bold approach against the landscape of the current housing emergency, and the scale of challenge.”

Wallace replaces Ewan Aitken, who spearheaded Cyrenians for 12 years.