Bite Back Director of Policy joins Action on Smoking and Health as Deputy Chief Executive

Caroline Cerny, currently Director of Policy at youth activist food movement Bite Back, will become the new Deputy Chief Executive at anti-tobacco charity ASH from 2nd October. Caroline replaces Hazel Cheeseman, who has been appointed as Chief Executive following the retirement of Deborah Arnott who has led the organisation for 21 years.

With more than 15 years in the NGO sector campaigning for policy change on public health issues, Caroline will bring a wealth of experience to ASH. Before joining Bite Back, Caroline led the Obesity Health Alliance since its set up in 2016, helping secure vital policy change on unhealthy food and drink advertising and the soft drinks industry levy. Caroline has also worked at Cancer Research UK and the Department of Health and Social Care.

Caroline will have a dual responsibility. As well as leading a collaboration between ASH, the Obesity Health Alliance and the Alcohol Health Alliance to address the poor health caused by commercial activity, she will deputise for the Chief Executive with lead responsibility for data, research and communications.

The new Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive will lead ASH through an exciting period as the new Government has committed to introduce legislation to phase out the sale of tobacco to the next generation and further regulate vaping products. The new leadership will support the Government’s agenda to create a roadmap for a smokefree country and will set out a refreshed strategy for the organisation in the new year.

Incoming Chief Executive, Hazel Cheeseman, said:
“We are delighted that Caroline will be joining us to support the organisation in its next phase. Under Deborah’s leadership so much has been achieved and we now have the chance to truly chart the path to end smoking in this country. Caroline brings deep knowledge of wider public health agenda and the campaigning zeal we need to truly make smoking history.”

Caroline Cerny said:
“There’s never been a more exciting time to work on tobacco and vaping policy, with bold new legislation in the pipeline. I am also looking forward to supporting a powerful new collaboration in the sector that will drive greater progress across the leading causes of preventable ill health, enable people to lead healthier lives and realise the vision of a smokefree country more rapidly.”

Prof Nick Hopkinson, ASH Chair, said:
“The next phase is an exciting one for ASH. The UK has the chance to lead the world on tobacco policy and with Hazel at the helm, ably supported by Caroline, ASH will be well-placed to help maximise that opportunity.”

ENDS

Notes to the Editor
Action on Smoking and Health is a health charity working to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco use. For more information see: ash.org.uk. ASH receives funding for its programme of work from Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation.

Contact: press@ash.org.uk Hazel Cheeseman [currently Deputy Chief Executive, becoming chief executive on 1st October] is available for media interviews.