New CEO for London Wildlife Trust
London Wildlife Trust has appointed David Mooney as its new chief executive. He replaces Gordon Scorer, who has been in post for eight years.
Mooney has been with the charity for 15 years, beginning as Hackney area manager. Most recently he was director of development at the trust for seven years.
Commenting on the appointment, Rufus Radcliffe, chair, said “Myself and the board of trustees are excited for another great chapter at London Wildlife Trust under David’s leadership. His commitment and vision align completely with the Trust’s values and long-term goals. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the team for their continued dedication and hard work.”
Brain Tumour Research recruits chief executive
Brain Tumour Research has appointed Dan Knowles as its next chief executive. He succeeds Sue Farrington Smith, who co-founded the charity in 2009 and now joins the board of trustees.
He has lost three family friends to brain tumours in the last two years.
Knowles joins from Oxfordshire Mind where he was CEO for seven years. He has also been a trustee for a Creative Dementia Arts Network and director of John Lewis and PepsiCo.
“I am excited to bring everything I have learnt both in the corporate and third sector to this wonderful organisation”, he said.
Chance UK appoints CEO
The children’s charity Chance UK has appointed Vanessa Longley as its new chief executive. She will succeed interim CEO Matt Plen when she joins next month.
She joins from YoungMinds where she was director of development for four years. Previously, she was director of fundraising and marketing at Havens Hospices, head of fundraising at Mencap and fundraising manager at Lepra.
Muslim Aid hires chief executive
Muslim Aid has recruited Khalid Javid as its permanent chief executive. It follows his appointment as interim CEO of the charity since February. He succeeds Kashif Shabir who was CEO for two years.
Formerly, Javid was managing director at Physicians Across Continents for over four years. He began his charity sector career at Muslim Aid in 2007 as a senior fundraising officer.
In his role as interim CEO, Javid’s recent focus has been on tackling the cost-of-living crisis. He oversaw the charity deliver over 30,000 meals in Tower Hamlets during the charity’s Ramadan campaign this year.
On his appointment, he said: “I am honoured and genuinely excited to lead Muslim Aid into its next chapter. I truly believe in the power of Khidmah (Service) which is one of Muslim Aid’s values, to transform society. I will continue to make sure the prophetic example of service to humanity is at the centre of everything we do.”
Full Fact recruits CEO
Full Fact has appointed Chris Morris as its new CEO. He succeeds Andrew Dudfield, who was interim CEO for five months after permanent CEO Will Moy stepped down.
Morris was previously with BBC News since 1990 – first as a Sri Lanka correspondent. Most recently, he was global trade correspondent for six months. Before that, he worked on BBC’s Reality Check where he was fact-checking and explaining Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and other issues.
Chris Morris, said: “Joining Full Fact is a huge privilege, particularly in the run up to the general election. Misinformation affects everyone's ability to make informed decisions, and in the past voters have been badly let down by low standards of honesty in politics across the political spectrum.”
National director of Habitat for Humanity appointed
Henrietta Blackmore has been recruited as Habitat for Humanity’s national director.
Blackmore succeeds Tum Kazunga, who was appointed CEO of Habitat for Humanity in 2018.
She joins from Save the Children International, where she has been global head of partnerships capacity development since 2022. She is on Amnesty International UK’s grants subcommittee board and is due to join UnLtd as a trustee.
New chair of Surviving Economic Abuse
Fiona Cannon has been appointed as chair of the domestic abuse charity Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA). She succeeds Cathy Millis who steps into the vice-chair role for the final year of her term.
She will step down as group sustainable business director at Lloyds Banking Group at the end of September to take up the role.
She said: “I am delighted to be taking up the role of chair of trustees at Surviving Economic Abuse. It’s a charity I have worked with for many years and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to be part of taking the charity to the next level.”
British Council appoints chair
The British Council has appointed Paul Thompson as its new chair. He will take up the post from Stevie Spring in January 2024.
Thompson is vice chancellor of Royal College of Art and has been in trusteeships and non-executive roles there for 14 years. He is also a trustee of the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Of the appointment, foreign secretary James Cleverly said: “I am pleased the British Council trustees have elected Paul Thompson as the next chair of the British Council. Paul brings extensive experience to the role, including from his time as vice-chancellor of the Royal College of Art. I am also very grateful to Sarah Sands for her work and contribution to the British Council during her time as Acting Chair.”
Chair of Become steps down
Hugh Thornberry has announced he will be stepping down as chair of Become after six years in the role.
Board members Andy Harris and Beth Taswell will act as interim co-chairs until a permanent replacement has been found. Both joined the board four years ago.
Chartered accountant Frances Lang has also been appointed to the board as a new trustee.
Ambition Institute creates two director roles
The education charity has appointed two executive directors to the newly created roles.
Yalinie Vigneswaran becomes executive director of programme delivery. She will head up teams supporting professional development across Ambition’s specialist teacher training programmes, as well as its initial teacher training programme which starts in September 2024.
She joins Ambition from Education Development Trust (EDT) where she is senior programme director.
Natalie Dixon has been appointed as an executive director for the early career framework (ECF) and national professional qualifications (NPQs).
She joined the charity last year as senior director of programme delivery. She had previously held national senior leadership roles across public services.
New finance director for religious charity
Quakers in Britain has appointed Vipan Narang as its finance director.
Narang joins from Association of Anaesthetists where he was chief operating officer for four years. He is a trained accountant and previously worked for Institution of Structural Engineers and the Churches Conservation Trust.
He has 13 years of experience as a charity trustee.
Stonewall appoints vice chairs and trustee
The LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall has appointed Cat Dixon and Jean Vianney Cordeiro as vice chairs. They both served on the board for a combined nine years.
Both step into the role following the retirement of Mitch Oliver as vice chair after more than four years on Stonewall’s board. Meri Williams and Kyle Ring have also retired from the board.
Dixon was previously the CEO of the Law Society while Vianney is currently head of corporate development at Pets at Home.
Meanwhile, Ayla Holdom has been recruited as chair of the remuneration committee whilst John Dickinson-Lilley joined the board as a new trustee.
New ambassador at Carers Trust
Carers Trust has appointed TV presenter and current Strictly Come Dancing contestant Angela Rippon as an ambassador.
The charity said she has been a huge supporter of Carers Trust for many years and has spoken movingly about caring for her mother Edna who had vascular dementia, revealing how difficult it was to deal with the guilt of caring for her whilst being unable to help improve her condition.
Rippon said: “It is such a privilege to become an ambassador for Carers Trust. Through my work with the dementia community, I know what an incredibly vital role all carers perform for their loved ones. But too often that work and loving commitment goes unrecognised and unrewarded. Working alongside the marvellous team at the trust, I hope I can not only further the work of the trust itself, but also champion the thousands of carers who deserve our respect and support.”
