Sense appoints chief executive
James Watson-O’Neill has been appointed as the new chief executive for Sense, the national disability charity.
Watson-O’Neill will start the new role in February 2025, when the charity’s current chief executive, Richard Kramer, steps down.
Watson-O’Neill has been the chief executive at SignHealth, a deaf health charity, since 2016.
He said: “I want to build on Richard's fantastic leadership and work with the team to keep growing the organisation as a force for positive change.”
Total Insight Theatre founder returns as CEO
The arts charity Total Insight Theatre has announced the return of its founder Adam Tulloch as chief executive.
Previously, Tulloch stepped down from the role 18 months ago to pursue other career opportunities.
He replaces Ella Schwarz, who took over from Tulloch having previously been the charity’s head of participation and development.
Tulloch said: “I’m returning with a new vision for the next 10 years. I am looking to create a movement that will inspire the next generation of young artists, especially from the more disadvantaged areas.”
Community360 announces early retirement of CEO
Community360 has announced the early retirement of chief executive Tracy Rudling due to ill health.
Rudling has served 31 years at the organisation and will remain in post until March 2025 to allow the charity time to appoint a new chief executive.
Rudling said: “After more than three decades at Community360, the decision to take early retirement has not been easy, but this is the right time for me to focus on improving my own health and wellbeing.
“It has been an absolute honour and privilege to lead this fantastic organisation and work alongside such dedicated colleagues and passionate volunteers who all truly make Community360 what it is today.”
Pregnant Then Screwed’s chief executive steps down
Joeli Brearley, the chief executive and founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, will step down in February 2025.
Brearley will continue as an ambassador for the charity, which dedicates itself to supporting mothers and fight discrimination against motherhood.
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust appoints chair
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) has appointed Jonathan Heawood as its chair.
He joined the JRCT’s board as a trustee in September and will take over as chair in January.
Heawood began his career as a journalist at the Observer and has also served as editor of the Fabian Review, director of English PEN and director of programmes at the Sigrid Rausing Trust.
He said: “I grew up in York, the birthplace of Joseph Rowntree, so it feels very special to be chairing the Trust he established 120 years ago.
“I’m looking forward to building on the achievements of the outgoing chair, Huw Davies, and working with JRCT's amazing team of staff and trustees to interpret Rowntree's legacy in the twenty-first century.”
Marine charity chief executive steps down
Martin Coles will step down as the chief executive of Marine Society and Sea Cadets in spring 2025 after 15 years of service.
Coles said: "It has been the honour of a lifetime to lead the Marine Society and Sea Cadets and a real privilege to serve alongside such a passionate group of volunteers, employees, and trustees who together are making such a positive impact on the lives of young people and seafarers.”
The recruitment process for his successor will begin shortly.
NHS Charities Together announces chair
NHS Charities Together announces Peter Phippen as its new chair of trustees.
Phippen was formally co-opted as chair of trustees by the board of trustees on 18 September and will take up his voluntary role in November.
Phippen has been a trustee of the British Heart Foundation, a board member at the National Archives and an independent board advisor on the commercial board of the British Council.
Liverpool Football Club Foundation appoints chair
The Liverpool Football Club (LFC) Foundation has appointed Steve Varley as its chair following the retirement of Gavin Laws.
Varley said: “I am honoured to be appointed chair of the trustees for the LFC Foundation, having joined as a trustee earlier this year I have already seen first-hand the incredible work that is being done and I look forward to playing my part in developing that going forward.
“Liverpool as a city and a football club holds a special place in my heart and I look forward to working closely with Matt Parish, the board of trustees and the wider team at the Foundation to continue to inspire change and support our communities both at home and away.”
Sick Children’s Trust announces chair
Sick Children’s Trust has appointed Aileen Ryan as its first female chair.
Ryan will take over from Paul Jardine, who is stepping down after nine years.
She said: “I am excited to work with the whole team in pursuit of our mission to provide welcoming, comfortable homes from home to keep families together when they have a sick child in hospital and kind, caring staff to support them.”
Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust’s chair to step down
Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust has announced that Donald Lamont, the long-serving chair of its board of trustees, is retiring from his roles as chairman and trustee.
Lamont relinquished his role as chairman on 21 October and will resign as a trustee on 4 November.
He, alongside other trustees, had founded the charity in October 2014.
Trustee Saul Pitaluga will take over as acting chair of the charity while the trust conducts a search for someone to take over Lamont’s role on a permanent basis.
VCS Emergencies Partnership announces co-chair
Lisa Hollins, British Red Cross executive director UK, has been confirmed as the co-chair of the partnership.
Since November 2023, Hollins acted as the interim co-chair when she took over from former co-chair and CEO of the British Red Cross, Mike Adamson.
Hollins said: “Responding to crises relies on all of us working in partnership to meet the needs of our communities.
“I am looking forward to working with communities and organisations across the country to learn from each other to prepare for and respond to the breadth of emergencies that impact people each year.”
Humanimal Trust appoints vice chair
Humanimal Trust has appointed Mary Fraser as its vice chair of trustees.
Fraser is the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh’s director of education, training and assessment, where she oversees training and examinations for medical physicians.
She has published over 100 articles, book chapters, books and papers and was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2017.
NCVO welcomes president and trustees
NCVO has announced Baroness Delyth Morgan as its new president.
Morgan is chief executive of Breast Cancer Now and as a member of the House of Lords.
The umbrella body also welcomed Ruth Marvel, chief executive of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, to its board as a trustee and Louise Posocco as its new treasurer.
It said in a statement: “As we welcome our new president and trustees, we thank our outgoing ones: Dan Sutch, Red Godfrey-Sagoo, and Paul Breckell.
“We greatly appreciate their support and contributions. They have been vital to our work and their dedication to NCVO and the voluntary sector has been invaluable.”
Power to Change appoints three trustees
Claire Spencer, Daniel Hill and Fin Irwin have joined the board of Power to Change as trustees.
Their backgrounds range from working at the regional authority level to grow the social economy and advocating for inclusive regeneration policies to working directly with and in communities.
Tony Burton, chair of Power to Change, said: “With these appointments, the Power to Change board gains valuable perspectives and important skills in championing the important role played by community business.
“All three will help in shaping the future of Power to Change and refining our think-do approach. They join the board as we say farewell to Sarah Gorman, who has been a valuable member since 2022. We wish Sarah all the best for the future.”
Our Special Friends appoints patron and trustees
Animal companionship charity Our Special Friends has appointed Marc Abraham as its patron and Rebecca Stephens and Rebekah Sullivan as its new trustees.
Stephens is a senior lecturer in social work and a pioneer of veterinary social work, which combines principles of social work, mental health and animal care to support individuals and families.
Sullivan is a practicing vet with a master’s in One Health.
NatCen announces director
National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) has appointed Sarah Cheesbrough as the director of its policy research centre.
Cheesbrough was once the director of NatCen’s communities, work and income team and will join the charity in 2025.
Cheesbrough said: “I am excited to be returning to NatCen to lead on the strengthening and growth of the Policy Research Centre.
“I am looking forward to once more being part of a not-for-profit organisation that is committed to producing evidence that positively impacts policy decisions and people’s lives.”
MS Trust announces advanced MS champion
The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Trust and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has appointed Sarah Watson as its advanced MS champion (AMSC).
The role was created as part of a programme which places MS specialists in areas of greatest need.
Watson is a neuro physio and has worked with the Leeds MS team for many years. She has also been trained by the MS Trust Foundation Module.
Actors’ Benevolent Fund welcomes two ambassadors
The Actors’ Benevolent Fund has appointed TV stars Ruth Jones and Christopher Eccleston as ambassadors.
Chief executive Alison Wyman said: “Both have a personal connection to the ABF and will help us in raising awareness so we can support more actors and stage managers. We are grateful for their support."
Jones said: “It’s an honour to become an ABF Ambassador and I look forward to continuing to raise awareness of the ABF and the vital support it offers to many actors and stage managers in need.”
Eccleston said: “The work of the ABF is vital to our profession. The support they have increasingly provided to our friends and colleagues is invaluable and I am looking forward to joining them in their plans to help many more actors and stage managers.”
Related articles
