We're delighted to share the appointment of Vicky Williams as the new Chief Executive Officer of Sistema Scotland!
This news comes after our founding CEO, Nicola Killean OBE, stepped down after fifteen years at the helm to become Scotland’s next Commissioner for Children & Young People.
Vicky is no stranger to the work of Sistema Scotland and has been part of the charity’s senior leadership team for the past ten years. She first joined our original programme, Big Noise Raploch in Stirling, as a Musician thirteen years ago and in 2013, she became its Head of Centre. Since 2021, Vicky has also been leading the brass programme which launched in neighbouring Fallin.
As a young cornet player Vicky grew up in West Lothian, and went on to study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where she received both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music. As an accomplished trumpet player, she has performed with many of Scotland’s leading orchestras and is also a member of the brass chamber group, Alba Brass.
Over the coming weeks, the charity will be planning for Vicky’s transition into her new role (taking over from Maggie Cunningham, interim CEO) and for a new Head of Centre for Big Noise Raploch and Fallin.
Vicky Williams, newly appointed CEO of Sistema Scotland, said:
“It has been a true privilege to work as Head of Centre at Big Noise Raploch for the last ten years, and through this work I have witnessed first-hand the transformational impact of Big Noise on participants and the wider community. I am excited to begin this new chapter with Sistema Scotland and I am committed to building the most inclusive, impactful, vibrant, and sustainable Big Noise programmes for all of our children, young people, and families across Scotland.”
Benny Higgins, chairman of Sistema Scotland, said:
“Following a rigorous selection process and a strong field of candidates, the board of Sistema Scotland are delighted to be appointing Vicky as the charity’s new Chief Executive Officer. I am confident that Vicky will bring the same passion and dedication she has shown for many years as head of Big Noise Raploch & Fallin to her new role leading Sistema Scotland through the next stages of its successful development, ensuring long-term sustained support for all of our Big Noise children, young people and communities.”
