Ben Kernighan, deputy chief executive and director of public policy at NCVO is to join the National Union of Students as chief executive this summer.

Kernighan, who has been at NCVO for 14 years, will replace Matt Hyde, who vacated the chief executive post earlier this year to take up the same position at the Scout Association.

Hyde took to Twitter yesterday to congratulate Kernighan on his new role. 

 

 

Kernighan comes to the NUS following a successful career in the voluntary sector, including roles at the Terrence Higgins Trust and NCVO. He also holds a number of non-executive directorships including Business in the Community and Futurebuilders.

Commenting on his appointment, NUS president Liam Burns said “I am delighted that we are able to announce that Ben will be joining NUS in July.  I believe that he is joining the organisation at an exciting time and that he is the right person to take the organisation forward.

"Under the leadership of the outgoing chief executive Matt Hyde the organisation has gone from strength to strength, and I am confident that Ben has the skills, experience and drive to see the organisation meet head-on its future strategic challenges.”

Talking about his appointment Kernighan commented: “I am delighted and excited to be appointed.  NUS has a very important role to play in helping the everyday lives of students, supporting students’ unions and helping to shape further and higher education in the UK.”