Dame Clare Tickell is to leave Action for Children later this year to join Hanover Housing in the same role.  

She has been at the children’s charity for nine years and it now supports more than 250,000 beneficiaries through 650 projects.

John O’Brien, chair of trustees at Action for Children, paid tribute to Dame Clare's leadership "through some of the biggest changes and challenges in [our] history”.

He added: “She has also ensured that we are a leading voice on behalf of children and young people around the UK and has been a driving force for our campaigning work.

“We will be working to ensure a smooth and seamless transition and to recruit a successor over the coming months. Jacob Tas, as our deputy chief executive, will provide continuity throughout this period.”

At Hanover Housing, which provides affordable housing and services for the over-55s, she replaces Bruce Moore who has led the organisation for seven years and is leaving in September.

Lord Richard Best, chair of Hanover Housing said: “We are delighted that Clare Tickell will be joining us, with all the experience and passion she has brought so successfully to her previous roles. Her return to the housing world will, I know, be greatly welcomed by everyone in the sector.”

Tickell added that she was “absolutely thrilled to be joining Hanover at this exciting time”. Before joining Action for Children she was chief executive of Stonham Housing Association and has held advisory and non-executive roles in the housing sector as well as the voluntary sector.