Samaritans appoints Keith Leslie as new chair
Keith Leslie is to become the new chair at Samaritans.
He will join Samaritans in January 2021. He began his career with Shell in frontline and general management roles, before becoming a partner for consulting firm McKinsey and then at Deloitte, working at a senior level for industry and government before he retired in 2017.
He is currently chair of Mental Health At Work, a community interest company providing expertise around workplace mental health, and in the past he was chair of trustees at the Mental Health Foundation, the UK’s oldest mental health charity now focused on the prevention of mental ill health.
Current chair Jenni McCartney will be stepping down in December, after spending six years in the role and 37 years as a Samaritans volunteer.
International Rescue Committee appoints Dr Titilola Banjoko as chair
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has appointed Dr Titilola Banjoko as chair. Banjoko will take up the role in October 2020, succeeding current chair John Holmes who completes his term in office after nine years of service.
Currently an executive managing director in the NHS, Banjoko brings with her extensive knowledge of global health issues – particularly relevant as the IRC adapts and responds to the pandemic across the 40 countries where it works.
Banjoko set up AfricaRecruit and FindaJobinAfrica.com, which are aimed at harnessing human resources and social capacity in Africa.
The Royal Foundation announces William Hague as new chair
Lord William Hague will become chair of the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on 1 November 2020.
He succeeds Keith Mills, who is retiring after five years as chair.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said: “We are hugely grateful for the contribution that Sir Keith has made to the Royal Foundation over the past five years. Under his stewardship the Foundation has gone from strength to strength and his personal advice has been invaluable.
“We are very much looking forward to working with Lord Hague in his new role as chair. He knows the Foundation well and has been an important partner in our work for several years.”
GroceryAid announces three new trustees
GroceryAid has appointed three new trustees. They are Mark McKenzie, group sales director at Nestle UK & Ireland, Dawood Pervez, managing director at Bestway, and Rhian Bartlett, director of fresh foods at Sainsbury’s.
The charity is overseen by 16 trustees.
Royal Meteorological Society appoints new president and vice-presidents
The Royal Meteorological Society will welcome Professor David Griggs as its new president, alongside Professor Lesley Gray as its new vice-president and Gary Johnston as its new vice-president for Scotland.
They start on 1 October 2020.
Griggs was previously deputy chief scientist at the Met Office and was also heavily involved in the development of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
BBC Children in Need appoints Ade Adepitan as trustee
BBC Children in Need has appointed Ade Adepitan to its board of trustees. Adepitan’s appointment will take effect immediately and will be for an initial three-year term.
Adepitan is a television presenter, travel journalist, award-winning wheelchair basketball Paralympian and children’s author.
Adepitan said: “I’m thrilled to become a trustee of BBC Children in Need, a cause which is very close to my heart. I’ve experienced first-hand the difference BBC Children in Need funding can make and I’m proud to be able to play my part in helping the charity transform young lives.”
The Mix charity welcomes Andrew Harrison as chair
Leading digital youth charity The Mix has appointed Andrew Harrison as its new chair.
He will take up the post this September. The current chair, Luke Taylor, will remain on the board as a trustee.
Harrison is currently a partner at Freston Road Investments and was chairman of Carphone Warehouse Ltd.
St Basils announces Feizal Hajat as new chair
St Basils, the largest youth homelessness charity in the West Midlands, has appointed Feizal Hajat as its new chair.
He succeeds Sara Fowler, who joined the board in 2012 and was appointed chair in 2015.
Hajat joined the board in 2016 and has also been on the service delivery and development committee. He is a Midlands-based public sector lawyer with a special interest in housing and homelessness.
Hajat said: “I am genuinely humbled to have the honour of being put forward as the chair of St Basils. I pay tribute to Sara under whose leadership the board has flourished and St Basils has gone from strength to strength.
“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have to fight harder to preserve our services by continuing to prevent homelessness and support young people who access our services to thrive.”
