Deafblind UK appoints chief executive
Former Big C deputy Nikki Morris has been named chief executive of Deafblind UK. She succeeds Steve Conway, who has retired after four years in post.
Morris joins from Age UK Camden where she was CEO. She was formerly at the Big C Cancer Charity where she was deputy chief executive and director of operations for almost seven years.
On her appointment, she commented: “We have a clear vision with exciting plans to deliver and a strong team. I look forward to playing my part in making the UK a more accessible and enjoyable place for all those affected by deafblindness.”
Royal Albert Hall appoints chief executive
Royal Albert Hall has appointed James Ainscough as its chief executive. He will join in late spring and take over from Craig Hassall, who stepped down last month after over five years in post.
Ainscough will join from Help Musicians, the music charity, where he is chief executive. He was formerly Royal Albert Hall’s director of finance and administration and then chief operating officer from 2008 to 2017.
Ian McCulloch, president of the Royal Albert Hall said: “James combines a passion for the promotion of music and cultural enlightenment with the vision and business skills required to lead the Hall through its next phase, applying financial prudence to extending our reach and our artistic ambitions. The Royal Albert Hall will benefit greatly from James’ experience, talent, enthusiasm and determination. We are delighted that he will soon be re-joining the team.”
New CEO for psychotherapy charity
Elizabeth Balgobin has been named CEO of the Bowlby Centre, a charity that provides psychotherapy.
Balgobin has been a freelance consultant on charity management for over 12 years. As an interim CEO, she has led charities like London Plus, Small Charities Coalition, ADVANCE Charity and more. Formerly, she was head of equality, diversity and inclusion at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising. She is currently a trustee of National Emergencies Trust.
Siobhan Swinscoe, chair of the Bowlby Centre, said: "Elizabeth’s appointment will focus on strategic longer term aims to strengthen the Bowlby Centre’s reputation, to offer opportunities for ongoing contributions from our valued membership, to explore ways to benefit society through a lens of Attachment informed practices and provide a much-needed focus to the Blues Project and our financial model."
Malaria No More UK announces chief executive
Malaria No More UK has announced Dr Astrid Bonfield as its chief executive. She succeeds Martin Edlund, who held the role for 10 years.
Bonfield has two decades of experience in the charity sector. She was a co-creator and chief executive of the Vision Catalyst Fund. Most recently she was CEO of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust. She was awarded a CBE in 2014 for her services to charity in the UK and abroad.
Chair of the charity, Liz Sugg, said: “[Bonfield] will bring a wealth of international experience and knowledge to this role at a crucial time in the fight against malaria as new and exciting innovations are developed and we work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of reducing malaria globally by 90% by 2030.”
Sported chief executive steps down after four years
The chief executive of Sported, Nicola Walker, will be stepping down this spring after four years in post.
She leaves half-way through the sport charity’s four-year strategy. It is now recruiting for a new leader via an open recruitment process, with applications closing on 1 February.
New chair for Shaw Trust
The Shaw Trust, a charity that supports people through care, wellbeing and skills development, has appointed Olly Benzecry as its new chair. He will succeed Sir Kenneth Olisa, who has been in the role for over nine years.
Benzecry will take over the role in May. He is chair of Movement to Work, WithYouWithMe, and sits on the UK’s Digital Economy Council and also the Corporate Development Boards of the National History Museum and Cancer Research UK.
Chris Luck, chief executive of Shaw Trust, said: “As CEO I am truly delighted that Olly is joining us as our new chair. Olly’s passion, drive and empathy will enable us to continue to open the doors of those who make policy at national and local government level in order to create greater equality of opportunity for those who need our help, and for whom Shaw Trust is a lifeline. Olly’s experience as a senior executive and leader at Accenture brings a wealth of strategic management and leadership to guide us forward.”
Charity Commission for Northern Ireland appoints chair and interim chief
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has announced Gerard McCurdy as chief commissioner and chair of the charity regulator.
McCurdy has been appointed until a permanent appointee is found. He has over 40 years’ experience working in a regulatory environment with food safety, public health and consumer protection.
The position is remunerated with £15,300 for a commitment of five days per month.
NLCF reappoints senior adviser
The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) has appointed Shane Ryan as its senior adviser.
The move sees Ryan, who received an MBE in this year’s New Year Honours, returning to the organisation where he will report to the chief executive and play a critical role in shaping how NLCF's grant strategy.
Ryan re-joins NLCF from the Avast Foundation, where he was global executive director. His previous roles include deputy director and senior head of partnerships at NLCF and chief executive at charity Future Men.
Fundraising Regulator appoints head of policy and more
Paul Winyard has been appointed as the regulator’s new head of policy following an open recruitment process. Winyard first joined the regulator in April 2021 as its policy manager.
Before this, he worked as NCVO’s policy manager for almost four years. He has had experience working for charitable organisations like Compact Voice, which sat within NCVO, and Volunteering England.
Lisa Caldwell has also been appointed the regulator’s board member for Northern Ireland. She joins from Belfast City Council where she is director of external affairs, communications and marketing.
New grants manager for Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust
Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, a charity that strives to enhance life for residents of the Midlands town, has appointed Clare Haines as its new grants manager.
She takes over from David Cole, who is retiring after almost five years in post. Haines boasts 13 years experience in the grants and funding sector and has worked with the National Lottery Heritage Fund, North Warwickshire Borough Council and more.
Her new role will see hew focus on assessing grant applications and preparing grant papers for consideration at the Trust’s grant committee meetings.
Tina Swani, chief executive, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Clare to the team and are sure she will take to the role brilliantly given her extensive experience and obvious passion for this vital work.”
Bank of England director appointed Fair Credit Charity trustee
Joanne Fleming has been appointed a trustee of the Fair Credit Charity. She is head of strategy and change at the Bank of England.
Other trustees who were appointed were Jonathan Moore, former chief executive of Stockport Credit Union, and Robbie Maverick, a digital project manager at the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Trustees appointed to debt advice charity
The Money Advice Trust has appointed new trustees and ambassadors.
Sarah Desai has been appointed a trustee of the charity. She is director of reward for Sainsbury’s where she sets pay and benefits strategy for front line workers.
Bim Afolami, the MP for Hitchin and Harpenden, has been appointed an ambassador of the charity. He is also a Commissioner on the Financial Inclusion Commission and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on financial markets and services.
Christine Farnish has also been made an ambassador. Formerly, she was managing director for public policy at Barclays and consumer affairs director at the Financial Services Authority.
Sir Ian Cheshire is former chief executive of Kingfisher plc and B&Q and has also been made an ambassador.
Marine Technology Trust welcomes three trustees
The marine charity has appointed three new trustees to its board.
- Rosalind Blazejczyk is a naval architect, founder and managing partner of Solis Marine Consultants.
- Dan Walker is deputy group chief scientist at Rio Tinto and a non-executive director of Ocean Infinity.
- Jake Anderson is group director of Longitude Engineering.
British Nutrition Foundation appoints trustees
The British Nutrition Foundation has appointed three new trustees to join its board.
- Sam Fulton is group director of corporate affairs and sustainability at Nomad Foods. She is a member of the corporate affairs working groups.
- Luke Stockill is senior director of Core Grocery, Asda.
- Paul Wheeler is corporate communications director for UK & Ireland at Kellogg’s.
New trustees for Royal Marsden Cancer Charity
Andrew Fisher and Roger Gray have been appointed as trustees of the UK cancer charity.
Fisher is chair of Rightmove plc, chair of Epidemic Sound and non-executive director of Marks and Spencer group plc.
Gray has four decades worth of experience in investment management. He was formerly chief executive officer of USS Investment Management Limited and chief investment officer at Hermes. He is currently on Triago’s advisory board.
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