Bowel Research UK appoints CEO
Bowel Research UK has appointed Lindsay Easton as its chief executive, taking over from Lynn Dunne, who has held the role since 2021.
Easton has over 25 years’ experience in the charity sector and had previously been CEO of Brain Research UK for six years.
She has been head of fundraising at the Royal Voluntary Service and held senior interim positions at national charities such as Diabetes UK, Young Lives Vs Cancer and the British Heart Foundation.
Bowel Research UK chair Asha Senapati said: “I’m excited to work with Lindsay to enhance the incredible momentum we’ve built in fundraising recently, nearly doubling the donations we’ve received in two years to be able to fund our cutting-edge research.”
New CEO for Horniman Museum
Gordon Seabright has been appointed as CEO of the Horniman Museums and Gardens.
He takes over from Nick Merriman, who held the role for six years before leaving in February to lead English Heritage.
Seabright joins from Creative Land Trust, where he has been CEO since 2020.
He is a trustee of Parkrun, Five Talents UK Limited and was previously CEO of the Eden Project.
Seabright said: “The Horniman is a very special place, and we’ll be working to make it even more successful for our local communities and for national and international audiences.”
Regulator appoints next chief executive
Scottish charity regulator OSCR has announced Katriona Carmichael as its next chief executive; replacing current CEO Maureen Mallon, who will retire at the end of June after five years at the helm.
Carmichael will be joining the regulator on 1 July from the environment and forestry directorate of the Scottish Government, where she is currently the deputy director for circular economy.
OSCR chair Marieke Dwarshuis said: “I know that our staff and board members, and indeed the wider charity sector in Scotland, will join with me in wishing Maureen a long and happy retirement, and in providing Katriona with a warm welcome when she takes up her post in July.”
Girlguiding appoints chair
Girlguiding has appointed Denise Wilson as its chair, taking over from Catherine Irwin, whose six-year term has come to an end.
Wilson was most recently CEO of the FTSE Women Leaders Review for 12 years.
She has been a trustee of Benefact Trust and board member of Ecclesiastical Insurance UK.
Girlguiding CEO Angela Salt said: “It’s a great privilege to have Denise join Girlguiding as part of our leadership team.
“She brings a wealth of experience from both her business and charity backgrounds, and we look forward to having her expertise help shape and lead our vision of an equal world where girls can make a positive difference, be happy and safe, and fulfill their potential.”
Think tank announces chair
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), a charity that encourages progressive policy change, has announced Victor Adebowale as its chair.
The cross-bench peer is currently chair of the NHS Confederation, non-executive director of NHS England, the Co-operative Group and chair of Social Enterprise UK.
He was previously CEO of the social enterprise Turning Point and youth homelessness charity Centrepoint.
Adebowale takes over from Kirsty McNeill, the executive director of Save the Children and IPPR trustee who has been acting as interim chair since last year.
Lord Adebowale said: “I’m proud to become IPPR's new chair at such an extraordinary time for both UK and global politics.”
Visual impairment charity recruits chair
Open Sight Hampshire has appointed Jane Brooks as its next chair; taking over from Sue Walker, who led the board for over seven years.
Brooks has experience working for the NHS, first as a nurse and then as a project manager. She has also been a trustee at other charities.
She said: “My mum was visually impaired from a very young age, eventually losing her sight completely, so I know how hard it can be to live with a visual impairment, and how accessible community support and helpful technology can provide a lifeline to individuals and their families.
“I’m delighted to be able to work with Open Sight Hampshire and support the amazing work of our dedicated staff and volunteers.”
Spinal cord injury charity appoints chair
Back Up, a national charity helping people adjust to life following spinal cord injury, has appointed Damian Riley as its chair.
Riley is managing director of Capita’s British Army recruitment contract and has personal experience of living with a spinal cord injury.
He will replace outgoing chair Jo Wright.
Riley said: “I’m looking forward to working closely with the Back Up team to help support even more people affected by spinal cord injury, in the same way that Back Up supported me.”
New communications director at King’s Fund
The King’s Fund has appointed consultant Zoë Abrams to be its director of communications and engagement from June.
Abrams’ remit will include marketing communications, media relations and public affairs, and her brief will be to build on the charity’s reputation and influence in health and care policy, leadership and organisational development.
She previously worked for the British Red Cross, Barnardo’s and across four government departments.
“I look forward to drawing on all my experience of shaping strategy, building brands and advocating for policy change to help The King’s Fund pursue its vision of the best possible health and care for all,” said Abrams.
