Scouts announces CEO
Aidan Jones has been appointed the new CEO of Scouts and will take up the role from today (14 October).
Jones was previously CEO of Relate, the largest provider of relationship support in England and Wales, where he served for five years from 2018.
Prior to that, he was as executive director of WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 and chief executive of WorldSkills London 2011.
He has been involved with Scouts for several decades, having been chief operating officer of the World Scout Bureau from 2012-14, and was executive director for EuroJam in 2005 and the Centenary World Scout Jamboree in the UK in 2007.
Teach First CEO steps down
After seven years at the head of national teacher training charity Teach First, Russell Hobby has announced his intention to step down as CEO in the summer of 2025.
Most recently, Hobby has overseen Teach First’s new strategy to 2030, to support the transformation of schools in disadvantaged communities to help ensure all children are able to meet their potential.
Hobby said: “I have loved my time at Teach First. It is like a shot of energy and enthusiasm. I stand in awe of our trainees and ambassadors, and of all the staff at our partner schools and trusts. I have learnt so much from them.
“I'm deeply grateful to our partners in university, business, philanthropy and government.”
David Forbes-Nixon Foundation appoints director
Philippa Charles has been appointed the Forbes-Nixon Foundation’s first director of the charity, which aims to drive sustainable change in special needs education, employment, healthcare, and conservation.
Charles previously served as director of the Garfield Weston Foundation for over 16 years, making grants of over £1bn and developing all aspects of the organisation during her tenure.
New CEO for UK Communities Foundation
UK Community Foundations (UKCF) has announced the appointment of Emma de Closset as its new CEO.
She will assume her role in January 2025, succeeding interim Co-CEOs Ben Robinson and Kaveed Ali, who have led the organisation for the past five months.
De Closset previously worked as a management consultant for the Boston Consultancy Group and later as director of strategy for National Citizen Service. She subsequently held multiple roles in central government and a range of senior roles in central government.
UKCF is a network of 47 accredited community foundations, covering every nation and region in the UK, that all aim to tackle local issues at grassroots level by supporting local community projects.
Church Army appoints CEO
Christian charity Church Army has announced the appointment of Matt Barlow as its next CEO.
Barlow will start his role at Church Army on 5 November, having worked for several Christian charities, most recently Mary’s Meals, and leading his local church.
Much of his previous career was with Christians Against Poverty, which he joined as it was forming and served there for 21 years, with 14 of those as its CEO.
New CEO for Royal Life Saving Society UK
Simmy Akhtar has been appointed new CEO of the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) starting in January 2025.
Akhtar will join RLSS UK from Air Ambulances UK, where she has been chief executive since March 2021, and has over 15 years of experience in leadership roles, including board level, as a trustee at Support Staffordshire.
Akhtar replaces Robert Gofton, the former CEO of RLSS UK for over five years, who left in late August.
Jo Talbot, who stepped up from commercial director, will continue to lead the organisation as Interim CEO until Akhtar’s arrival.
Church Commissioners CEO steps down
Gareth Mostyn, who has served as CEO of Church Commissioners for England for five years, has announced he will be stepping down from the role in early 2025.
Mostyn joined the Church of England’s national institutions as chief financial and operating officer in 2018 and was promoted to the chief executive role two years later.
He will be leaving the Commissioners to go to a new role as a non-executive director at an NHS trust. His successor will be identified through an open recruitment process.
The Commissioners generates around 20% of the Church of England's annual expenditure from the investment of the Church’s £10bn in-perpetuity endowment fund
New CEO for Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Jonquil Hackenberg has been appointed the new CEO of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Hackenberg will start in the role on 4 November, succeeding Andrew Morlet, who has been CEO for the last 10 years at the environmental sustainability charity.
Hackenberg was previously global head of sustainability and climate response at PA Consulting.
Prior to that, she held various roles at Infosys over a 13-year period, latterly global head of sustainable business.
Royal British Legion announces national president
Vice Admiral Paul Bennett has taken on the new position of national president at the Royal British Legion, effective this month.
His first duties will be to represent the Royal British Legion at key ceremonial remembrance events in November.
Bennett joined the Royal Navy in 1985 and has had an extensive career at sea, including several roles ashore.
Lloyd’s Bank Foundation hires policy director
Nicole Sykes will join Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales as director of policy, communications and research, in January 2025.
For the past four years, Sykes has headed Pro Bono Economics’ policy, communications and influencing work to support charities and people with the lowest wellbeing, and also has extensive experience in influencing policy, specialising in working across the public, private, and charity sectors to build partnerships and systemic change.
Sykes previously managed the CBI's Brexit efforts, and she has worked for Microsoft, MPs, and political campaigns.
She has served on the boards of a charity and a social venture, as well as an international research initiative led by Queen Mary's University.
First head of charity appointed at Welsh Ambulance Service
David Hopkins, has been appointed the first-ever Head of Charity at the Welsh Ambulance Service, having joined the service from National Youth Arts Wales, where he was fundraising and development manager.
Hopkins will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the trust’s charity, including the generation of income and compliance with its regulatory and governance obligations, and will also be the organisation’s expert on charity matters and will be charged with recruiting and developing a small team to support the charity’s fundraising activities.
New COO for the 10,000 Interns Foundation
Jameela Raymond has been announced as the new chief operations officer at the 10,000 Interns Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation aimed at creating equity of opportunities for Black talent in the UK.
Raymond has six years of experience working within systems change, with a particular focus on catalysing new models of business leadership for the benefit of people and the planet.
In her new role, Raymond will reportedly be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Foundation, including developing and operationalising new activities in line with the new ten year strategy. and managing relationships with programme-leading firms and key partners.
SolarAid welcomes chair
Lionel Marumahoko has been announced as renewable energy charity SolarAid’s new chair.
Marumahoko previously spent over 25 years with the Coca-Cola Company, where he provided executive leadership across 36 Sub-Saharan African markets.
He is currently managing partner at BPL AFRICACONNECT, where he advises businesses on growth and expansion strategies in Africa.
SolarAid is a UK-based, international charity aiming to tackle poverty and climate change by providing access to clean, safe solar lights in underserved rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Volunteering Matters announces chair
Peta Foxall has been unveiled as Volunteering Matters’ new chair, having assumed the role on 11 October.
Foxall is currently senior independent trustee on the board of the NHS Confederation and served as chair of the Wildlife Trusts from 2017 to 2022.
She has also reportedly been a grass-roots volunteer for much of her life, “epitomising the contributions made by volunteers at Volunteering Matters”, the national volunteering charity said.
Disasters Emergency Committee appoints chair
Michael Jermey has been appointed the new chair of trustees of the board of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), effective March 2025.
Jermey will succeed Sue Inglish, who will step down as Chair of the DEC in March 2025 after six years of service.
Jeremy has almost four decades worth of experience in current affairs coverage for ITV news, and has worked closely with the DEC to support the broadcast of its appeals on ITV channels.
New chair announced at the Victorian Society
The Victorian Society has announced the appointment of James Grierson as chair of the society, succeeding Hilary Grainger.
Grierson is a chartered surveyor, who previously worked in strategic property, development and planning consultancy across the UK public and private sector. He was most recently chair of York Museums Trust.
Grierson said: “I am looking forward hugely to supporting such an impressive group of people as we move the Society into the next stage of its vital work.”
Pilotlight appoints chair
Alison Forrestal has been announced as the new chair of trustees for Pilotlight, a national charity that “amplifies the impact charities, businesses, and individuals can bring to make a better world”.
Forrestal will take on the role in January 2025, taking over from previous chair Sarah Bailey, who led the board of trustees for the previous six years.
She previously held leadership roles at Diageo, Amazon and Immediate Media, with specific expertise in developing customer-led innovation and growth strategies.
Foundations replaces MP former chair
Foundations has appointed Sam White as its new chair to replace former executive chair, Josh MacAlister, who stepped down in May to become a member of parliament.
White, who took up the new role on 7 October, was previously chief of staff to Keir Starmer, then leader of the opposition, after spending a decade at FTSE100 Aviva as Group Sustainability and Public Policy Director.
He previously worked in the Treasury and other parts of government.
Foundations generates and champions actionable evidence to improve the lives of vulnerable children and families.
New chair for Pro Bono Economics
Tera Allas is joining think tank Pro Bono Economics as its new chair of trustees. Allas starts the role officially in January 2025 and long-standing trustee David Gregson will be interim Chair.
Allas, an economist, is currently director of research and economics at McKinsey and Company and brings over 30 years of experience in strategy, corporate finance, and public policy.
She also serves as chair of the Productivity Institute’s advisory committee, trustee of Be the Business, and is a former trustee of the Royal Economic Society.
London Youth Rowing appoints chair
Andy Mitchell has been announced as the new chair of sports charity London Youth Rowing (LYR).
Mitchell, who is chief executive officer at Tideway, was elected into the role at LYR’s recent annual general meeting.
He said: “I am delighted and honoured to join the LYR Board and become LYR’s chair.
“Tideway has supported LYR ever since the project began and as well as seeing the wonderful impact that LYR has had on young people in that time, I have also seen a strong cultural fit between the two organisations, sharing a desire to be bold and try new things.”
Four trustees reappointed to British Museum board
Phillipp Hildebrand, Vivian Hunt, George Weston and Sarah Worthington have been reappointed as trustees of the British Museum.
Hildebrand is vice chairman of BlackRock, a member of the firm’s global executive committee and also oversees the BlackRock Investment Institute.
Hunt is the chief innovation officer at UnitedHealth Group. which is listed 5th in the Fortune 500.
Worthington is a professor of law at the London School of Economics.
Two board members reappointed to National Lottery Community Fund
John Mothersole and Kate Still have been reappointed as board members to the board of the National Lottery Community Fund.
Mothersole was previously chief executive of Sheffield City Council.
Since stepping down from that role in 2019, Mothersole has taken on a series of non-executive roles which now include chair of Sheffield College, trustee of a community care charity and advisory roles with companies involved in regeneration and environment.
Hospice UK announces appointment of five trustees
Hospice UK has announced the appointment of five new trustees to its board.
The charity has appointed Sabrina Bajwah, Sam Kyeremateng, Helen Laville, Alison Richardson and Richard Winter as its new trustees.
Bajwah is consultant in palliative medicine, Kyeremateng is consultant in palliative medicine and Medical Director at St Luke’s Hospice Sheffield, Laville is provost and deputy vice chancellor at Kingston University, Richardson is clinical professor of cancer nursing and end of life care at the University of Southampton, and Winter is deputy chair of Save the Children UK and a board member of Save the Children International.
Girlguiding announces Duchess of Edinburgh as patron
The Duchess of Edinburgh has been announced as Girlguiding’s patron.
Her patronage will continue the tradition of royal support, following on from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who was patron from 1953.
The Duchess has been president of Girlguiding since 2003.
Actor and singer announced as Momentum’s celebrity ambassador
Singer, dancer, actor, panellist and TV presenter, John Partridge has been announced as Momentum’s newest celebrity ambassador.
Partridge is best known for playing the role of Christian Clarke in Eastenders from 2008-2016.
In his role as ambassador, Partridge will work closely with Momentum Children’s Charity to raise awareness of how they support families in Surrey, Sussex and London.
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