NSPCC chief steps down after 11 years
Peter Wanless has announced he will be stepping down as CEO of NSPCC after 11 years in the role.
Wanless joined the charity in 2013 after working as CEO of the Big Lottery Fund for five years and director of the government’s department of education for nine years before that.
NSPCC told Civil Society that Wanless has agreed to remain in post over the summer and beyond while the recruitment process for his replacement takes place.
Wanless said: “As I love my job, choosing to take this step has not been easy but this does feel like the right moment to begin planning properly to pass the role on, into new hands.
“It has been an extraordinary privilege to occupy this role and work with so many talented and committed people over the years.”
St Martin’s charity appoints CEO
Duncan Shrubsole is the incoming CEO of St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity. He replaces Tim Bissett, who had been director of the charity for almost 11 years.
Shrubsole will join from Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales where he is as director of policy, research and communications.
He has over 20 years of experience in the charity sector, beginning his career at Crisis where he worked for nine years.
Shrubsole said: “I am honoured to be joining St Martin’s in the Fields Charity as chief executive officer.
“St Martin’s is unique in providing direct financial assistance to individuals to help prevent eviction or to move on from homelessness, together with support for frontline charities and workers across the UK.”
Safe Passage interim chief made permanent
Wanda Wyporska has been made permanent CEO of the refugee charity Safe Passage International after a few weeks as interim chief.
She replaced Beth Gardiner-Smith, who held the post for over five years.
Wyporska joined the charity from the Black Equity Organisation where she was CEO for a year.
Chair Magid Magid said: “Wanda has settled in quickly and is already demonstrating her excellent experience as a CEO for social justice organisations and campaigns.
“We’re really pleased that Wanda will be staying with us in a permanent capacity, throwing her energy behind our vital work during this critical year of global elections and as the right to asylum is under attack.”
Music charity adopts co-leadership model
Seamus McGibbon has been appointed as co-chief executive of the charity Making Music.
He will share the role with Barbara Eifler, who has been in post for over 10 years.
McGibbon is an arts consultant and was recently strategic lead on public affairs, policy and development at Creators’ Rights Alliance.
Before that, he was CEO at the Association of Photographers for seven years.
SPANA appoints chair
The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) has announced Marianne Davies as its interim chair.
Davies works as global head of people services at GSK and joined SPANA’s board as a trustee in 2021.
She said: “I am excited and honoured to now be appointed chair of trustees at SPANA, during a time when the charity is significantly developing its work to meet the growing challenges it faces from issues such as rising global poverty, political instability, and climate change.”
Chair announced at cancer charity
Rachel Roxburgh has been announced as chair of young adult’s cancer charity Trekstock.
Roxburgh, who joined the charity as vice chair in October, replaces Rob Challis, who held the post for over four years.
She previously held senior roles in planning and operations at Cancer Research UK.
On her appointment, she said: “I am truly honoured by the board’s confidence in entrusting me to lead Trekstock as chair through its pivotal three-year growth plan.”
British Psychological Society chair resigns
The chair of the British Psychological Society (BPS), David Crundwell, has resigned from the board for personal reasons, the charity has announced.
He was appointed in December 2022 and remains as chair of the Imperial Health Charity.
Nicky Hayes, president of BPS, said: "During his period of office, David brought a positive and dynamic leadership to the board, working with its new structure to introduce several necessary changes within the society.
“We would like to thank David for his work on behalf of the society, and wish him every success in the future.”
Charity Finance Group appoints interim chair
Kevin O’Brien has been appointed as interim chair of the Charity Finance Group’s (CFG) board. He takes over from Gary Forster, who was chair for four years.
O’Brien was previously chair of CFG’s audit committee for a year and is chief financial officer at Retirement Villages Group.
He said: “CFG is turning a corner and we are now looking forward to a period of greater resilience, stability and growth.
“The next financial year will see the launch of a number of exciting and ambitious projects, such as the redevelopment of CFG’s website.”
Meanwhile, directors Sarah Lomax and Clare Mills have both been promoted to a newly created co-role of deputy CEO as chief executive Caron Bradshaw begins a part-time role at the Lending Standards Board alongside her CFG position.
Bradshaw said: “My role at CFG remains the same – I’m not going anywhere any time soon.
“However, this opportunity has led the board and executive team to think differently about how we shape CFG for the future and how we lead a growing team.”
Foundation announces chair
The Rank Foundation has announced that Joey Newton will be stepping down as chair of the foundation and be replaced by current trustee Will Wyatt on 4 June 2024.
Newton, grandson of founder Joseph Rank, had been chair at the charity for 11 years.
He said: “The Rank Foundation is a truly amazing charity and I feel so proud that it all came about through my grandfather, Lord Rank.
“I’m so fortunate to have played a small part in its remarkable journey.”
Olympian appointed as trustee to mental health charity
Retired Olympian Michelle Griffith-Robinson has joined Mental Health UK as a trustee.
Griffith-Robinson, who competed in the 1996 Olympic Games, is an ambassador for Women’s Aid, the Menopause Charity and Diabetes UK..
Brian Dow, chief executive, said: “Michelle’s expertise as an Olympian, successful businesswoman and passionate ambassador on a range of issues, including her powerful work raising awareness of the unique challenges Black and minority ethnic women face during menopause, will be invaluable to our board of trustees.”
YoungMinds announces trustees
Youth mental health charity YoungMinds has appointed five new trustees and a vice-chair.
- Gayathri (Gaya) Butler is a passionate gender equality advocate and currently a global lead for reimagining masculinities at Movember, a global charity focused on men’s health.
- Heidi Boahen has joined the trustee board and is the diversity and inclusion lead at SOAS University of London.
- Michael Mackay is an independent social worker, therapist and clinical supervisor.
- Nadeem Azhar is a charity lawyer and is currently deputy head of legal at Scouts.
- Vilma Nikolaidou is director of people and culture at the British Film Institute and a practitioner in HR.
Meanwhile, Mems Ayinla has been appointed vice chair after being a trustee at the charity for two years.
