From today, Sunday 1 April, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care have officially merged to become Carers Trust.

Carers Trust is the leading carers charity which aims to put carers centre stage and ensure the contribution they make to society and to those they care for is fully recognised and valued.

Carers Trust is delighted to announce that Anne Roberts, former Chief Executive of Crossroads Care, has been appointed to take on the role of Chief Executive for the new charity until September 2012.

Anne will be focusing on implementing all the changes needed to establish and build a thriving new organisation. Anne’s appointment provides continuity and experience to Carers Trust during the transition phase of merger and will ensure that the high standards of service offered to carers and our Network Partners of carers’ centres and local schemes are maintained.

Anne says: ‘I am delighted to be taking on the role of Interim Chief Executive for Carers Trust and very much look forward to what, I am sure, will be an incredibly busy, but highly exciting time as we all work to develop this brand new organisation. I feel very strongly that Carers Trust is right for the future and will be able to expand from its well established base, building on the experience and expertise of Crossroads Care, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and all of the independent local Network Partners for the ultimate benefit of carers across the UK.’

The two charities have been in detailed negotiations for the past 18 months and previously had a strong history of working together with a number of jointly-funded posts and a range of successful joint fundraising and policy campaigns.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, has agreed to be President of Carers Trust, a role she has held at The Princess Royal Trust for Carers since it formed in 1991. Carers Trust’s Network Partners will continue to provide support to carers under their local brands, and are not expected to merge locally as a result of the UK-wide merger.