Youth charity Changemakers has merged into the Foyer Federation to scale-up its youth leadership projects, in what the charities describe as “the logical next step”.

The move follows the resignation of Changemakers chief executive James Thackeray, in April, which was the impetus for the Changemakers board to approach Foyer with the idea of a merger.

The roles of chief operating officer and business development manager are being made redundant. A spokeswoman told Civil Society News that Lizzie Moore, a member of the Changemakers executive team, has joined the Foyer Federation’s executive team as director of partnerships.

The rest of the charity’s staff - 7 people, - are being “assimilated” into the Foyer Federation.

None of Changemakers’ trustees will be joining the Foyer Federation board.

Changemakers, which helps young people into leadership roles, is now operating as a project within the Foyer Federation. The old website now redirects to a section on the Foyer Federation website.

Changemakers’ latest accounts show that its income was £1.2m while its spending was £1.3m. For the year ending 31 March 2013 the Foyer Federation had an income of £1.8m and spending of £1.7m.

Changemakers’ London office is being closed and the team will move into Foyer Federation’s head office in London but two small hubs in Birmingham and Newcastle will remain open. The two charities' staff in Birmingham will eventually move into the same office.

Jane Slowey, chief executive of the Foyer Federation (pictured) said: “The Foyer Federation’s new strategy is an ambitious challenge to us and others in the sector to do better for young people.  We have started securing support and invited others to join us in shaping its positive vision, which is why we’re excited to formalise our partnership with Changemakers.”

The two organisations had worked together on a number of projects including delivering two externally-funded projects and in July 2014 the boards of trustees agreed the full merger.