St John Ambulance appoints head of equity and inclusion
First aid charity St John Ambulance has appointed Kal Parkash as its new head of equity and inclusion. Previously, Leah Slater-Radway was St John’s head of equality, diversity and inclusion. Notably, the charity has changed the job title.
With over 25 years in the field, Parkash joins from Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust where she was head of equality, diversity and inclusion. She has worked for the Ministry of Defence and Shropshire Council.
Parkash said: “I am really looking forward to meeting the wonderful St John volunteers and staff to strengthen the work already underway to improve equality diversity and inclusion at the charity.
“My firm belief is that every one of us has a critical role to play in embedding equity and inclusion as allies, standing shoulder to shoulder with our most marginalised and vulnerable communities. It is important that we all feel safe to be our authentic self at all times, to enable us to thrive.”
New CEO for Fight for Sight
Sight loss research charity Fight for Sight has announced its new CEO, Keith Valentine. Joining in January, Valentine takes over from interim CEO Ikram Dahman.
Previously, Valentine worked for RNIB as director of external affairs and development. He has experience as a deputy CEO at Thomas Pocklington Trust and as CEO at Vision UK. He currently runs the All Party Parliamentary Group on sight loss prevention and has been a trustee of Retina UK and Action for Blind People.
Louisa Vincent, chair of trustees at Fight for Sight, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Keith Valentine as our new chief executive. Keith’s career, accomplishments and experience clearly demonstrate how committed he is to make a real difference for people with sight loss. He will drive the next exciting phase of our development, with so much promising science bringing potential new treatments for people with sight loss. He will champion our values, increase the impact of our research and heighten awareness for more funding in research.”
Diabetes UK announces new chair of trustees
Diabetes UK has appointed Dr Carol Homden as its new chair of trustees. She succeeds Sir Peter Dixon, who has occupied the role since 2013.
Homden has been group chief executive of the Thomas Coram Foundation for Children for almost 15 years.
Homden said: “Diabetes affects more people than any other serious health condition and it is a privilege to join Diabetes UK during the centenary of the discovery of insulin. Since my son was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes earlier this year, I know only too well what this means for individuals and families.
“Diabetes UK plays an ever more important and vital role in providing support and information to all who need it. I look forward to working with the whole Diabetes UK community, as we work together to address the challenges of living with the condition and supporting research to discover new treatments.”
New chief executive for Young Women’s Trust
Young Women’s Trust welcomes Claire Reindorp as its new chief executive. She takes over from Abi Shapiro, who has been acting as interim chief executive officer since Sophie Walker stepped down from the role in late 2020.
Reindorp joins from the community foundation Peabody, where she held several senior leadership positions. She also has experience working at Refugee Council, Crime Concern and Carnegie Trust UK.
Jo-ann Robertson, chair of Young Women’s Trust, said: “We are delighted that Claire will be leading Young Women’s Trust at such an important time for the organisation. Claire brings a wealth of knowledge on the intersectional issues facing young women, combined with a personal passion to address inequalities and to bring about real social change.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Abi Shapiro for leading the organisation through the past 18 months – we are in an excellent place as Claire joins us due to Abi’s skilful and committed stewardship.”
Wellcome appoints new deputy chair
Health research charity Wellcome has selected Professor Fiona Powrie as its new deputy chair of its board of governors. She succeeds Mike Ferguson, who has worked with Wellcome for 10 years. She takes up the role in January.
Powrie is director of the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology at the University of Oxford.
Julia Gillard, chair of Wellcome, said: “Fiona’s new role as deputy chair will allow us to benefit even more from her experience in science and research. I look forward to working with her to drive forward Wellcome’s mission to solve the urgent health challenges facing everyone.”
Marie Curie welcomes three new trustees
End of life charity Marie Curie welcomes three new trustees to its board. The new appointees are:
- Chrisha Alagaratnam - who joins with 25 years’ service in the NHS. Most recently, she was the group chief finance officer at Barts Health NHS Trust.
- Ian Waller - who joins with 35 years of experience from Deloitte LLP. He is also governor and chair of the finance and audit committee of a youth charity.
- Richard Wohanka - who has held chief executive roles in asset management businesses. Currently, he is chairman of the Nuclear Liabilities Fund and the Pension Super Fund.
Vindi Banga, chair of the board of trustees at Marie Curie, commented on the recent appointments: “Each of our new trustees bring a wealth of leadership experience from either the financial or public sector where they have had substantial impact in their various roles.
“Their breadth of experience and capabilities will be a great asset for Marie Curie as we drive the organisation forward in our mission to ensure excellent end of life care for everyone. We’re very happy to welcome Chrisha, Ian, and Richard to Marie Curie.”
New CEO for Carers Trust
Carers Trust has announced that Kirsty McHugh will take up the role of CEO next February. She replaces Gareth Howells who left the charity in the summer.
Currently, McHugh is chief executive of the independent charity the Mayor’s Fund for London. She has also worked at the National Lottery Community Fund, Impetus, and has been a trustee of Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network.
McHugh has first-hand experience as an unpaid carer for a close family member who was approaching end of life and another with long-term disability.
McHugh said: “I am only too aware from my own personal experience just how undervalued unpaid carers are, and how difficult life is for them as a result. So, I am thrilled to have been entrusted with the opportunity to work with the team at Carers Trust, its network of local partners and unpaid carers themselves to change that.
“I am particularly excited by the prospect of working to keep Carers Trust at the forefront of securing change for the UK’s unpaid carers, whether through achieving policy change at the national level, helping to improve service delivery more locally or by working with employers and schools to increase understanding of unpaid carers and their caring responsibilities away from the workplace and classroom.”
Prostate Cancer UK announces new chief executive
Laura Kerby has been appointed as Prostate Cancer UK’s new chief executive. She replaces Angela Culhane, who retires this month.
Kerby joins from the blood cancer charity Myeloma UK, were she acted as CEO. Previously, she led the charity Penny Brohn UK for six years. She has also sat on the board of Nuffield.
Charles Packshaw, chairman of Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Laura as Prostate Cancer UK’s new chief executive.
“Laura’s extensive experience in both the charity world and the wider business world make her the ideal person to lead us forward as we work towards our vision of a future where lives are not limited by prostate cancer.
“I also want to thank Angela Culhane for her outstanding work at Prostate Cancer UK over the last eight years. She leaves the charity in a fantastic position to build on the transformational change she has overseen during her time in the role.”
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