The chief executive of walking charity Living Streets will be stepping down after three years in post and moving away from the charity sector.
Stephen Edwards “has decided to return to the world of public affairs and communications” and will leave in May, the charity has announced.
The charity reported a “challenging 18 months” in its recently filed accounts but said it expected to receive more funding until March 2025.
Edwards joined Living Streets as director of policy and communications in December 2018 and was promoted to interim chief executive officer in July 2021 after his predecessor, former Labour MP Mary Creagh, stepped down after one year at the helm.
He became the charity’s permanent CEO in April 2022.
Prior to this, Edwards spent 18 years advising charities, companies and trade associations on their public relations and communications strategies.
He has been a trustee of several small charities and is currently chair of governors at St Mary’s Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School.
‘Now is a good time to move on to a new chapter’
Commenting on his departure, Edwards said: “Living Streets is a brilliant organisation and I have been privileged to be its chief executive.
“I have thought long and hard about my future career. With the organisation now in a more robust position, it is a good time to move on to a new chapter in my career.”
Jane Roberts, chair of Living Streets, added: “Steve has made a brilliant contribution to Living Streets. Our charitable income has increased despite a difficult economic context and we have continued to have significant impact in our quest to get people walking more.
“During his time at the helm, we have seen changes to the Highway Code to put pedestrians at the top of the road user hierarchy, a ban on pavement parking in Scotland and a default speed limit of 20mph rolled out on residential streets in Wales.
“He leaves us in a strong position and we warmly wish him well in his future career.”
‘Challenging 18 months’
In its accounts for the 18 months to March 2023, Living Streets recorded an income of £6.75m against an expenditure of £9.07m.
Writing in the foreword, Edwards said: “It has been a challenging 18 months for Living Streets, with the charity feeling the effects of economic, fiscal and political instability, particularly in relation to dedicated policies and funding for walking.
“Delays to some key funding streams have meant we have had to look at different ways of doing things in the longer term and reduce costs within our operating model.”
However, he noted: “A recent announcement on 29 September 2023 gives us welcome assurance of the funding we may expect through to March 2025.”
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