Action for Children has appointed Groundwork UK’s longstanding chief executive as its new CEO.

Sir Tony Hawkhead, who has been at Groundwork UK for 17 years, will join Action for Children at the end of March.

Dame Clare Tickell left in December, returning to the housing sector as chief executive at Hanover Housing. Jacob Tas, Action for Children’s deputy chief executive and executive director of operations, will be interim CEO until Sir Tony starts.

John O’Brien, chair of Action for Children, said: “Sir Tony already has an exceptional set of achievements to his name and we are looking forward to him joining us.

“Of course, he has a tough act to follow. Dame Clare Tickell has successfully navigated Action for Children through a change of government and some of the most turbulent times UK charities have ever faced, and we now support more than 250,000 people through 650 projects.”

Last year the charity made more than 100 people redundant as it restructured its services to reduce management costs and meet the increasing demand for support.