Sarah Woolnough has been named as the new chief executive of Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation.
Woolnough is joining from Cancer Research UK, where she was executive director of policy and information, and will start the role in December.
She replaces Kay Boycott, who oversaw a £17m merger between the two charities at the end of last year.
Crucial time
Woolnough said: “It’s an honour to be appointed CEO of Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation.
“Respiratory health is a cause I care deeply about, and it’s been inspiring to see the extraordinary lengths that they’ve gone to in supporting people with lung conditions over many years, and most recently during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It will be a real privilege to join the charity at such a crucial time, and I look forward to being part of a team committed to making real change for the 12m people in the UK affected by lung disease.”
Kay Boycott: Leaving is 'a big wrench'
Boycott said: “I’m extremely proud of what we’ve managed to achieve together, including proving the value of the merger.
“Leaving such a dedicated and committed team will be a big wrench, but I’m thrilled to be handing over to a leader of Sarah’s calibre.”
Boycott will start a new “portfolio career”, according to a statement from the charity.
Baroness Tessa Blackstone, the chair of Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, said: “I am delighted to welcome Sarah to the charity and greatly look forward to working with her.
“With respiratory disease never higher on the national agenda, she joins us at an opportune time to deliver even more for people with lung conditions.”
Health background
Woolnough holds trustee roles at MQ: Transforming Mental Health and the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI).
She has also worked on secondment at the Department of Health, where she co-wrote the National Cancer Strategy, and has sat on charity boards at the Association of Medical Research Charities, Action on Smoking and Health, and Bliss.
At the time of the merger, Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation estimated that the combined organisation could save £2m in running costs, although both charity brands have been retained.
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