Children’s charity The Archie Foundation has appointed Nicola Fry as its new chair, bringing extensive experience in governance, HSEQ and organisational transformation to the board of trustees.
Nicola succeeds HR specialist Carol Munro, who has stepped down after eight years as board chair, and will work closely with vice-chair Irene Bruce, head of ESA, Employment and Skills at Offshore Energies UK (OEUK).
A senior governance and transformation leader with a career spanning the energy sector, major civils and engineering sectors, Nicola has held senior leadership roles at Worley, Balfour Beatty and Technip.
Her work has focused on strengthening organisations, building high‑performing teams and delivering strategies that translate into measurable outcomes - expertise she now brings to The Archie Foundation.
Nicola has led major programmes in assurance, risk, cultural change and operational improvement, and will help guide the charity through the next phase of its strategic development.
Her focus will be on ensuring strong governance, disciplined delivery and a clear framework for impact across Archie’s services.
She will work closely with chief executive Paula Cormack and the senior leadership team to develop a results‑focused strategy that supports babies, children and families across the north of Scotland.
Nicola also brings personal insight to the role.
“The Archie Foundation has an extraordinary legacy of supporting babies, children and families when they need it most - support that I have experienced first-hand when my son was hospitalised as a newborn. I have never forgotten the compassion shown to us as a family at that time,” she said.
“It’s a privilege to take on the role of chair at such a pivotal moment. My focus is on ensuring we have the strategy, culture and leadership to deliver meaningful, measurable impact and to empower our teams and partners to achieve it. I want to build a high‑performing board and strong plans for growth.”
Nicola’s appointment reflects her commitment to making a wider impact by bringing her corporate leadership experience into the charity sector.
She added: “The Archie Foundation and our colleagues in the NHS do incredible work and it is rightly highly respected. You have one life and I want to make a difference. If I can help even one person, it will be worthwhile.”
Paula Cormack, chief executive of The Archie Foundation, welcomed Nicola to the board.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nicola as our new chair. She brings extensive board‑level strategic leadership experience, alongside regulatory compliance and governance expertise.
“Nicola is known for creating structures that enable people to perform at their best, aligning Boards and executive teams around shared priorities and turning strategic intent into results. We look forward to working closely with her as we continue to grow as a charity.”
The Archie Foundation was set up in 2000 to support babies, children and their families across the north of Scotland, during a hospital stay or bereavement.
The charity has funded specialist roles and projects at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and, more recently, at the Highland Children’s Unit in Inverness, Tayside Children’s Hospital in Dundee and Dr Gray’s Hospital, Elgin.
Visit www.archie.org/getsupport/ for more information about the practical, financial and emotional support available from The Archie Foundation.