CRUSE Bereavement Care in Swindon has appointed a new chairman.

He is Joe Culkin, a freelance human resources and organisation development consultant who lives in Nythe.

Joe trained as a Cruse counsellor in 1988. He succeeds Nigel Hall who is staying on as a member of the management committee.

Cruse Bereavement Care in Swindon is a local branch of the national charity which provides support, counselling information and advice to bereaved people of any age.

The branch has a staff of more than 50 volunteers and one part-time employee. They include 31 counsellors and supervisors and a further seven people who provide the vital telephone help line.

Joe said: "I am working with Cruse because I believe passionately in what we do for some of the bereaved people in our community.

"I am privileged to work with a group of exceptional, dedicated and professional people. I hope to be able to build on the excellent work of my predecessor Nigel Hall, and to benefit from his continued guidance and support."

Joe is married, with two adult children. As well as his career in industry he has achieved distinction in pubic speaking and is a former president of Oxford Speakers Club and a past vice chairman of governors at Swindon College.