Sarah Vibert has become NCVO’s permanent chief executive having held the role on an interim basis since early 2021.
Before joining NCVO, Vibert was chief executive of the Neurological Alliance, the membership body for neurological charities.
She was previously director of strategy and external affairs at the Epilepsy Society and is also a trustee of National Voices, the coalition of health and social care charities.
Karl Wilding's departure
Karl Wilding left NCVO last year after just 18 months as chief executive.
At that point Vibert, director of membership and engagement, became interim chief executive. Wilding, who has worked at NCVO for 23 years, said in a statement that new leadership was needed to “to lead the necessary cultural change NCVO is determined, rightly, to achieve”.
It later emerged that an independent report had found issues around bullying and discrimination at NCVO, with Vibert and NCVO’s chair, Priya Singh, promising to address the problems.
‘Rigorous recruitment process’
NCVO worked with executive search specialists Saxton Bampfylde. The process was led by Singh with other trustees, independent sector leaders, and representatives from NCVO’s staff and 17,000-strong charity membership.
Singh said: “In a fantastic field, she impressed, challenged, and inspired all those involved in the process, presenting a clear and compelling vision for the future of NCVO and our work to support members and our sector.
“The board’s unanimous decision to appoint Sarah comes after a rigorous four-month recruitment process where we engaged a diverse, experienced, and inspiring set of candidates.”
Akiko Hart, CEO of the NSUN (National Survivor User Network) and a representative on the member recruitment panel, said: “At the heart of Sarah's vision for NCVO, and the sector she understands and loves, is equity. She demonstrates this through her authentic and collaborative leadership, as well as her values-driven approach which shines through all her work.”
Sarah Vibert: ‘NCVO will continue to adapt’
Vibert said she was “honoured” to take up the role and pledged that she will be a “generous” and collaborative leader.
She added: “NCVO has held a unique place in the voluntary sector for over 100 years. That place has had to be earned and NCVO has continually evolved to anticipate and respond to changes in society. Today is no different. We must continue to adapt to support members to meet the challenges of an ongoing pandemic, inequality, conflict and the climate crisis.”
Outside of her role at NCVO, Vibert volunteers regularly, including as a trustee of the Brain and Spine Foundation.
She added: “For members, the NCVO I lead will always listen, respond and enable you to come together as a community. We will clear a path in the external environment to make it easier for you to do your vital work supporting people and communities, and we will stand alongside you in championing the role of voluntary organisations and volunteers.
“For our staff team, NCVO under my leadership will continue the work to empower and support you to thrive at work, and inspire you with a vision for what we are achieving for members and wider society. For partners who share this vision, I will ensure that NCVO will be a generous, collaborative leader in the sector and beyond, focussed on how together we can create a strong, fair and connected society.”
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