The founder, staff and the trustees of Dorchester-based The Talk About Trust Charity, that works nationally to equip children and young people age 8 – 25 with the knowledge, skills and resilience to make safer choices around drugs, alcohol and nicotine, have announced the appointment of Steve Morton as CEO, who begins his role on the 1^st September.

 Steve brings a wealth of experience from the charity sector which includes a decade at the NSPCC, acting CEO for Action on Addiction ( now part of The Forward Trust), leading transformational change at The Deaf Academy and most recently heading capital fundraising at Rowcroft Hospice in Devon.

 Helena Conibear, Founder of the Talk About Trust commented ' We are so looking forward to benefiting from Steve's strategic, leadership and fundraising expertise, he has a clear passion for improving the lives for the most vulnerable young people in our society and so he feels an integral part of our team already! I feel I can confidently hand over the reins after 15 years as I partially step back from the Talk About Trust to take on the role of High Sheriff of Dorset 2026 – 27'

Steve Morton comments ''I am delighted to be joining the Talk about Trust as their new CEO. Prevention of harm to children and young people has been my passion since I first joined the NSPCC IN 2003.

"Though I've worked with some truly inspiring people since then, the undeniable impact Helena and her small team have had on young lives over the last 15 years has profoundly impressed me. In a world where new risks from drug and alcohol use present themselves at an alarming rate, it's a privilege to be able to take the Talk About Trust forward, ensuring we remain exactly who we need to be to help children and young people make the right decisions and stay safe'