New children's commissioner for Wales named

Currently a Professor at the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University specialising in family and child welfare, Welsh ministers said she is internationally acclaimed for enabling children and young people to represent their own views through active participation in her research.

Professor Holland, who becomes the third person to take on the role, said, ‘I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed to be the next children’s commissioner for Wales. I am proud of Wales' history of promoting children and young people's rights and I will work hard to ensure that this continues.'

‘Children and young people face new opportunities and challenges in contemporary society. I will work with the children and young people of Wales to ensure that their rights are safeguarded and promoted.’

Professor Holland, who is also the director and founder of CASCADE Children’s Social Care Research Centre, replaces the outgoing commissioner Keith Towler, after his seven-year tenure.

The candidates for the position were interviewed by young people and a cross-party ministerial panel chaired by Lesley Griffiths, minister for Communities and Tackling Child Poverty.

The deputy children’s commissioner, Eleri Thomas, will assume the functions of the children’s commissioner until Professor Holland takes up the role in April.