The School Library Association has appointed Victoria Dilly, former programmes director at the Speakers Trust, as its new chief executive.

Dilly takes up the role after the charity’s former chief, Alison Tarrant, stepped down in November after six years in post to become head of library services at the children’s book supplier Peters.

SLA trustee Lynsey Pollard covered the chief executive post on an interim basis between November and 3 February, when Dilly took up the permanent role.

Dilly was the programmes director at the young people’s charity the Speakers Trust from January to December last year, where she managed the UK’s largest public speaking programme for young people.

Before her role at the trust, Dilly spent almost two years as skills and learning development manager at the Royal Horticulture Society.

She was the programme and development manager for the charity Libraries Connected from November 2020 to July 2022, has worked in education consultancy for Puffin Schools and the Royal British Legion, and has also held roles at Young Enterprise and the National Literacy Trust.

Dilly said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the SLA, an organisation that has a rich history of supporting school libraries and helping children discover the joy of reading. 

“I’m looking forward to building on this legacy with fresh ideas and working with members and colleagues in the sector to grow our reach and impact.”

Paul Register, chair of SLA, said: “Victoria Dilly is one of those rare things – a person with extensive experience of working both in school libraries and in the business and charity sectors. 

“She also has a great deal of passion, drive and heart. I am very positive about the future of the SLA and our ability to serve and represent our members, as well as advocate for school libraries more generally.”