Barretstown children's charity has appointed two senior staff as directors to its senior leadership team.

Siobhan Kavanagh has been made director of medical and programme, and John Mitchell has been promoted to director of partnerships.

They join CEO Dee Ahearn, director of development Tim O'Dea, finance and operations director Mairéad Forristal, and people director Catherine Moriarty on the senior leadership team.

“As we at Barretstown expand and grow our services, the experience, insight and knowledge both Siobhan and John will bring to the senior leadership team is immeasurable," said Ahearn. 

"Their collective contribution will ensure the senior leadership team continues to deliver best-in-class psychosocial care and therapeutic programmes to children affected by cancer and other serious illnesses, and their families.

"Last year alone, through these medically endorsed programmes we proudly served 22,000 campers and we are on track to exceed this number in 2025.

"I know I speak for the wider senior leadership team when I say we are very much looking forward to continuing to work with Siobhan and John to deliver our long-term service expansion strategy."

Kavanagh has extensive paediatric cancer care experience having worked for more than two decades at Children’s Hospital Ireland, Crumlin before of joining Barretstown in 2022.

In her new role, Kavanagh will direct all medical operations in Barretstown and drive programme innovation across all the charity's residential and outreach programmes.

Mitchell originally joined Barretstown in 2004 and has held several roles within the organisation. More recently he held the position of head of partnerships.

He will now be responsible for the continued development of relationships with key stakeholders, leading national and international medical research academia and well as charity partners and universities both home and abroad.

Photo: (l-r) Siobhan Kavanagh and John Mitchell. (Pic: Supplied)