The chief executive of the British Red Cross, Mike Adamson, has announced his decision to step down after eight years in post.
Adamson first joined the charity as a regional director in the 1990s. After a 10-year stint there, he went to work for the NHS as director of commissioning and primary care.
He then spent five years as managing director for services at the national hearing loss charity Royal National Institute for Deaf People.
Adamson returned to the British Red Cross in 2010, spending five years as managing director of operations before taking the helm of the charity in 2014.
The British Red Cross said Adamson will remain in post until it has recruited a new CEO in late 2023.
Liz Padmore, chair of the British Red Cross said: “I want to thank Mike for his service to the British Red Cross and the tremendous contribution he has made, and will continue to make this year, as our CEO. Mike has led the organisation courageously at a time when the world has faced extraordinary and complex crises. Under his leadership we helped those most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, grew our work helping refugees, strengthened our partnerships with the NHS and focused our work in emergencies, particularly around the use of cash assistance.
“Mike has overseen the charity through a period of great change, transforming our work in the UK and internationally. He has worked tirelessly to uphold the fundamental principles of the Red Cross as we all strive for a world where everyone gets the help they need in a crisis.”
Commenting on his departure, Adamson said: “The British Red Cross has been helping people in crisis for more than 150 years and it has been an honour to play my part in stewarding it through turbulent times. I am incredibly proud of everything that our dedicated staff and volunteers have achieved, helping those most in need in the UK and internationally, but after twelve years it is the right time for me to move on.
“My passion for the work of the Red Cross in a profoundly changing world is, and will remain, undiminished. I will leave behind an incredibly effective, dynamic and compassionate organisation that is committed to the power of kindness. Until then, I am looking forward to using my remaining time at the British Red Cross to continue to make a real difference for those in crisis, no matter where they are.”
Adamson will also stand down from his role as co-chair of the Voluntary and Community Sector Emergencies Partnership, a coalition of local and national organisations established in 2017 to help deliver a more coordinated response to emergencies.
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