Local Trust welcomes CEO
Rachel Rowney has been appointed as Local Trust’s new chief executive. She is replacing the outgoing CEO, Matt Leach.
Rowney has been Local Trust’s chief operating officer since 2021, having joined the organisation as a programme manager in 2012.
She said: “I’m excited to build on Matt’s brilliant work in what is a hugely exciting and important time for Local Trust.
“My priorities in this pivotal phase, as we move out of delivery, will be to use what we’ve learnt to make the strongest possible case for community-led, long-term interventions to rebuild the country’s creaking stocks of social infrastructure, neighbourhood by neighbourhood.”
FareShare appoints CEO and chair
The food redistribution charity FareShare has appointed Kris Gibbon-Walsh, its interim chief executive since October last year, as its permanent chief executive.
It has also appointed Dominic Blakemore, chief executive of Compass Group, to be its chair of trustees.
Gibbon-Walsh said: “Having started at FareShare as a volunteer at one of our warehouses over a decade ago, I truly understand how the surplus food we redistribute changes lives.
“The food and logistics sectors have been brilliant partners over the last 30 years and the 8,000 charities we distribute to are at the heart of our mission, using surplus food to bring people together and strengthen communities.”
Blakemore said: “I’m delighted to be working with Kris, whose deep-seated knowledge of FareShare and its partner network — and incredible personal commitment to the purpose of FareShare – is at the heart of all he does.”
Become’s CEO to step down as five trustees appointed
Katharine Sacks-Jones, the chief executive of Become, is stepping down from her role at the end of July after six years leading the children’s charity.
Sacks-Jones said: “It’s been a huge privilege to lead Become and work alongside such a dedicated team and so many amazing care-experienced young people.
“Their courage and determination to improve the care system are truly inspiring.
“I’m proud of the change we’ve been able to make at every level of the care system, through our support services for young people, training for professionals, and campaigning for policy change to give every care-experienced young person the chance to thrive.”
The search for her successor is underway.
The charity also welcomed five new trustees. They are Amanda Gethin, Elisa Jenkins, Kelly Railton, Alice Roche and Tom Turcan.
Goldsmiths’ Foundation welcomes first director
The Goldsmiths’ Foundation has welcomed Joseph Hallgarten as its inaugural director.
Hallgarten has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the not-for-profit sector, including being the chief executive for the Centre for Education and Youth and the director of education at the Royal Society of Arts.
He said: “I am honoured to be appointed as the first director of the foundation, leading Goldsmiths’ philanthropic programmes as the company heads towards its 700th anniversary in 2027.
“While charity has been at the heart of the company for seven centuries, this renewed focus on support for technical, vocational skills and training is an incredible opportunity to realise the potential of the creative industries and put craft skills and creative talent at the heart of flourishing education institutions, communities and society.”
World Animal Protection hires UK director
World Animal Protection has announced Ruth Tanner as its new UK country director.
Tanner joins the charity from Amnesty International, where she was a deputy director in the Europe regional office.
Tanner said: “I’m incredibly excited and honoured to join World Animal Protection as UK country director.
“I’m looking forward to working alongside passionate colleagues, supporters, stakeholders and
activists to help animals today and end future exploitation and cruelty.”
Victim Support welcomes chair
Criminal justice charity Victim Support has appointed Yvonne Thomas as its chair.
Thomas joins Victim Support after retiring as the chief executive of the Clink Charity, which aims to reduce reoffending through volunteering and training programmes.
She said: “With the criminal justice system in crisis and victims’ services facing a perfect storm of funding pressures and ever-growing demand, it’s a challenging time.
“I am excited to work alongside a talented team to achieve a future where victims’ rights are respected, their voices are heard and they feel well supported.”
Oversight Trust appoints chair
The Oversight Trust has appointed Vaughan Lindsay to chair its board.
Lindsay, who chairs the New Philanthropy Capital, will take over from Stuart Etherington, who has chaired the trust for the last five years.
Lindsay said: “The Oversight Trust plays a vital role in ensuring that dormant assets are used effectively to support social change.
“I look forward to working with the board to drive real impact and support the continued success of the four operating companies.”
RNIB appoints chief financial officer
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has welcomed Kathryn Sherratt as its new chief financial officer.
Sherratt joined RNIB on 16 April.
Her most recent role was as interim chief financial officer at Post Office Ltd, where she joined in July 2019 and oversaw £1bn annual revenue operations across 11,600 branches.
She said: “I’m delighted to join RNIB and support its strategy to meet the needs of blind and partially sighted people. I am excited to work with the team to create a brighter future.”
Nacro appoints two directors
Social justice charity Nacro has appointed Ian McKetty as its director of technology and data and Andy Wilkinson-Sharpe as its director of finance, risk and assurance.
McKetty was the chief information officer at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, for the last eight years.
Wilkinson-Sharpe is joining Nacro from Sustrans, a walking and cycling charity, where he is currently the interim executive director of finance, fundraising and resources. He will join Nacro at the start of May.
Sheffield Cats Shelter introduces new fundraising team
Sheffield Cats Shelter has announced the appointment of a new fundraising team in an effort to expand over the next few years.
The new fundraising team consists of a fundraising manager, a fundraising lead and a fundraising and communications coordinator.
Jacquie Neilson, the charity's new fundraising manager, was previously the founder and chief executive of the animal rescue charity Rain Rescue, which she established in 2002.
Neilson said: “As a long-time supporter of The Sheffield Cats Shelter, I felt now was the right time to step in and support their vital work, especially during the animal welfare crisis the UK is currently experiencing post-pandemic.
“By investing in this new team, we aim to raise awareness of the Shelter’s incredible daily efforts and the growing need for cat care in the city.”
Spread a Smile appoints head of fundraising
Children’s charity Spread a Smile has announced Krishan Solanki as its new head of fundraising.
Prior to Spread a Smile, Solanki worked for Muscular Dystrophy UK, where he held a variety of roles within the fundraising team, focusing on campaigns, events and corporate partnerships.
He said: “I’m thrilled to join such an inspiring and impactful charity.
“Spread a Smile is a relatively young charity, but it has already achieved so much in bringing joy to children during difficult times.
“The opportunity to help it grow and develop a broader range of fundraising strategies is something I'm excited to be part of.”
Charity Commission welcomes board members
Tasnim Khalid and Alan Mather have been appointed by the government to the Charity Commission for England and Wales’s board for a three-year term.
Khalid was listed in the “100 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch” in the Telegraph list and won the Northern Power Woman Award 2024 and the Legal 500 “Private Client Partner of the Year” for the Northern Powerhouse award 2025.
Mather is an experienced digital transformation leader with a track record in leading complicated technology programmes across the public and private sectors.
He is a recognised pioneer of UK digital government, launching the first transactional services such as Self Assessment, UK online and the Government Gateway.
New chair for NI regulator’s forum
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s stakeholder engagement forum has appointed Elaine Armstrong as its chair.
Armstrong said: “I’m honoured to take on the role of chair at such a crucial time for the charity sector.
“The stakeholder forum provides a vital platform for dialogue, collaboration and shared insight between the commission as the charity regulator and the diverse range of charities in Northern Ireland.
“I look forward to working with the forum members and the commission to ensure the voices of charities are both heard and reflected in regulation.”
Royal Marsden Cancer Charity appoints trustee
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity has appointed Russell Chambers as its new trustee.
Chambers is an investment banker with over 35 years of experience advising boards and management teams on strategy and capital raising.
He currently serves as senior advisor to ServiceNow, the NYSE-listed enterprise software company.
Veterans Housing Scotland welcomes trustee
Anne Dalton has been appointed to the board of trustees at the charity Veterans Housing Scotland.
Dalton has gained experience of military service while travelling with her husband during his service for many years.
She said: “The team at Veterans Housing Scotland goes to incredible lengths to support its beneficiaries.
“I am looking forward enormously to learning more from my fellow trustees and from the beneficiaries themselves.”
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