Leonard Cheshire has appointed Stuart Dean as its new chief financial officer, after the regulator announced in May that the charity is being investigated over financial difficulties.
Dean joins the disability charity from the Care Quality Commission which he was director of for over eight years.
During his tenure, he led market insight and policy discussions across government, including with the treasury, cabinet office and Department of Health. Before that, he held senior roles in the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Leonard Cheshire said Dean's appointment comes at a “critical time” for the charity, which is currently under investigation by the Charity Commission.
The Commission opened its inquiry in December 2022, after the disability charity’s trustees approached the regulator in April 2022 about the financial difficulties it faced.
Dean joins the role in September. He will replace Nigel Armitt, who has been acting as interim CFO since 2021.
CEO: 'Will play a key role in driving forward further financial improvements'
Ruth Owen, CEO of Leonard Cheshire, said: “I’m delighted to have someone of Stuart’s calibre and knowledge of our sector joining my executive team, adding to the existing strength of expertise within it and as we embark on an exciting new chapter for the charity.
“We will be keeping people we support and quality of care at the centre of everything we do. Positive results are being seen as we strengthen our overall financial position, following difficult but necessary decisions at the start of 2022.
“Stuart’s track record speaks for itself, and he will play a key role driving forward further financial improvements and modernisation as we look to achieve our longer-term ambitions.”
Dean said: “I’m delighted to be joining Ruth and her wider executive team at this exciting time. Financial turnaround is being strongly underpinned, and I look forward to being part of repositioning the charity to ensure its ongoing impact and effectiveness whilst further strengthening its sustainability. I very much look forward to helping shape the Leonard Cheshire of the future to ensure that the people we support continue to live their fullest lives with us”.
