The Black Equity Organisation (BEO), a civil rights charity launched last year to tackle systemic racism in the UK, has appointed its first permanent chief executive since last May.
Dr Wanda Wyporska will join BEO next month from the Society of Genealogists, where she is the outgoing chief executive.
BEO registered with the Charity Commission last year and was led by Jake Ferguson for nine months until May 2022.
Since Ferguson's departure, the charity has been led by interim chief executives but Wyporska will be its second permanent leader.
The charity has several high-profile trustees including shadow foreign secretary David Lammy, actor and Young Vic artistic director Kwame Kwei-Armah, and TV presenter and historian Professor David Olusoga.
Dame Vivian Hunt, a former senior partner for consulting firm McKinsey & Company, founded the charity and is its chair.
‘Relationships will be vital’
Hunt thanked the charity’s interim chief executives who “helped BEO through its initial launch and to this point in our existence” said she was “delighted to welcome” Wyporska to the organisation.
“Wanda has worked on race issues all her life and is in a strong position to span the vast areas of policy, research, and campaigning,” said Hunt.
“She is skilled at developing strategic partnerships and has worked with an impressive array of charities, government departments, corporates, and investors. These broad-ranging relationships will be vital as we embark on the next phase of our development.”
Wyporska, who was previously executive director of the Equality Trust, said she was “excited” to join BEO and work with “a truly excellent team”.
“The impacts of systemic racism are well-known and so many people and organisations have worked and campaigned against racism,” she said.
“I see the essential role of the Black Equity Organisation as building on this work with partners, grassroots organisations and allies to improve outcomes for Black people in the UK."
Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify that Wyporska is the charity's second permanent leader.
Related articles
