Former government asylum director Emma Haddad has joined St Mungo’s as its first permanent chief executive following the death of Steve Douglas in May.
The homelessness charity appointed Haddad, who was director general for asylum and protection in the Home Office since February last year, in September and she began this week.
She replaced interim chief executive Rebecca Sycamore, who led the charity since May and now returns to her former role of executive director of strategy and development.
Joanna Killian, St Mungo’s chair, said Haddad’s experience in “supporting people who have been displaced and marginalised” would be “very relevant to our role here in supporting the most vulnerable in society”.
“She has a clear determination to end homelessness,” she said. “We all welcome her to the organisation.”
Haddad, who has also worked at the Department for Work and Pensions and the European Commission, said she was “absolutely thrilled” to be joining St Mungo’s.
“Its mission is hugely important to me and it will be a privilege to lead the organisation,” she said.
“In the current economic climate, the services and support we offer will be more vital than ever. I look forward to working with colleagues across St Mungo’s and with partners in the shared aim of ending homelessness.”
St Mungo’s said in a press release that the position of CEO was advertised in June and that it conducted a “rigorous selection process over the summer” before appointing Haddad.
Sudden death of predecessor
Douglas, who was St Mungo’s chief executive for two years, passed away suddenly at his home on 8 May.
The 57-year-old, who was awarded a CBE in the 2019 Queen’s honours list for services to housing, left four children, his partner as well as his mother, sister and wider family.
At the time of his passing, Killian said: “He had worked tirelessly in the housing and homelessness sector for many years and was deeply committed to St Mungo’s in the short time he had been working with us.”
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