John Herriman, the first chief executive of the National Emergencies Trust (NET), has left to “return to a more conventional charity role”, a year after getting the job on a permanent basis.
The charity announced his departure yesterday and confirmed that he had left with immediate effect.
NET was created in response to Charity Commission recommendations following the Grenfell Tower Fire and the Manchester Arena Bombing in 2017.
Herriman joined as interim chief executive in February 2019 and secured the post full-time in September of the same year.
Until a new CEO is appointed, the team will be led by NET's chief operating officer, Mhairi Sharp.
NET recently launched an appeal in support of communities impacted by coronavirus which has raised nearly £100m.
Herriman said: “The NET has been a uniquely rewarding challenge over the past 18 months, launching firstly as a charity and secondly launching its first ever appeal. So much has been enabled and so many people have been helped, and I couldn’t be more proud of the team for making this all possible.
“However, now that the majority of the Coronavirus Appeal funds have been distributed, I want to return to a more conventional charity role focused on tackling some of the longer-term societal issues caused by the pandemic. And, very importantly after such an intense six months, I’m looking forward to having a short break and spending some time with my young family.”
Herriman leaves NET as the Coronavirus Appeal enters a new phase. From 1 September the appeal is no longer actively seeking new funds, though it will still accept public donations through its website.
Lord Dannatt, chair of the NET Board, said: “The board of trustees and I would like to thank John for his tireless hard work and leadership during his time with us and for working with the rest of the senior team to ensure we have been able to respond effectively to the unprecedented coronavirus emergency.
“He leaves us in a strong position with a capable team in the knowledge that NET is now in place for any future emergency.”
During Herriman's tenure, NET was criticised for asking grant assessors “with lived experience in marginalised communities” to work for free. The campaigning group #CharitySoWhite shared a screenshot of the advert, saying that it is “unacceptable” and “another reminder of the structural racism inherent in our charity system”.
At the time NET said that the ad was issued “in error without appropriate review and sign off”, and apologised.
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