First female CEO for StepChange
Vikki Brownridge has been appointed the next chief executive of the debt charity StepChange, succeeding Phil Andrew. She will take up her position on 1 May.
She is being promoted from director of operations at StepChange. Brownridge joined the charity 17 years ago as an advice centre manager and has worked her way through the ranks to become head of debt advice, director of client experience, director of operations and now CEO. Before working for the charity she held senior leadership roles in financial services.
Brownridge will be the first female CEO of the charity.
Outgoing CEO Phil Andrew said: “I’m absolutely delighted to see Vikki appointed as StepChange’s next Chief Executive. I can say from experience that it is the honour of a lifetime to serve in the role and to lead such brilliant colleagues. I’m particularly pleased that Vikki has been appointed as the internal candidate, which I think shows how seriously we take nurturing and developing talent and future leaders. She could not be more deserving of this opportunity to lead the charity and I leave knowing it is in the best possible hands.”
Vision Action appoints CEO
Vision Action has appointed James Riggs as its next chief executive. He succeeds Nicola Chevis, who led the charity for six years.
Riggs joins from the Education Development Trust UK where he has worked as a consultant since 2020. Before that he was chief executive of Alma Mater Education in Ghana.
New CEO for Tinnitus UK
Caroline Savage has been appointed new chief executive officer of the charity after acting as its interim CEO from June to October 2022. She succeeds Deanne Thomas, who steps down as being the CEO after just three months.
Savage has been with the charity since April 2021 when she was head of major giving. Since then she has also worked as director of fundraising and communications.
On her appointment, she said: “The growing critical need for what Tinnitus UK does, combined with the drive, commitment and expertise of the team made my decision easy. Together with our award-winning support resources we have a strong foundation to build on for the years ahead. We will develop and deliver even better services and work even harder to increase investment in tinnitus research.”
Centre for Mental Health appoints chief executive
Andy Bell has been appointed the chief executive of Centre for Mental Health after working their for 20 years.
Bell became deputy chief executive of the charity in 2009. He has worked for more than 25 years in the voluntary sector.
On his appointment, Bell commented: “Centre for Mental Health has been challenging mental health inequalities for nearly four decades. We’ve got a lot more to do. With our outstanding team of dedicated staff, our brilliant trustees and our many friends and partners, we’re determined to bring down the barriers to mental health equality. Too many people’s mental health is put at risk by poverty, inequality, racism and discrimination. People living with mental health difficulties don’t always get the right support where and when they need it. We’ll keep working to change that and put social justice at the heart of mental health policy.”
New CEO for Fauna & Flora International
Wildlife conservation charity Fauna & Flora has announced that Kristian Teleki has been appointed its new chief executive. He will join in July and replace Mark Rose, who is stepping down after 30 years leading the charity.
Teleki will join from World Resources Institute where he is global director of the ocean program. Currently he is also director of Friends of Ocean Action.
Liz Rogers, chair of Fauna & Flora, commented on Rose’s departure: “Mark has been an exceptional leader and has played a fundamental role in ensuring that Fauna & Flora is at the forefront of the conservation work that the world so desperately needs.
“As we look ahead, and enter a new phase in our charity’s journey, we look forward to Kristian’s leadership and expertise, knowing he will take us forward into an exciting future. During the recruitment process, we were deeply impressed by Kristian’s extensive knowledge and experience, as well as his enthusiasm, eagerness and dedication to Fauna & Flora’s mission and strategic goals.”
Ashden appoints CEO
Ashden, the climate change charity, has appointed Ashok Sinha as its next chief executive. He succeeds Harriet Lamb who was in charge for almost four years.
Sinha joins from London Cycling Campaign which he led for twelve years. He is the chair of the London Sustainable Development Commission. Formally, he worked as director of Stop Climate Chaos for five years and was the co-founder of Make Poverty History in 2003.
Founder and chair of Ashden Sarah Butler-Sloss said: “Myself, the Ashden team and our trustees are delighted to announce that our next CEO will be Ashok Sinha. Ashok brings with him a wealth of experience in environmental, sustainable development and justice issues in the UK and the Global South, having worked in these areas for over 30 years.
“His achievements include a PhD in renewable energy, and driving landmark campaigns such as Make Poverty History, The Jubilee Debt Campaign and Stop Climate Chaos (now the Climate Coalition). More recently, he has led transformational work making London a healthier and greener city, as CEO of the London Cycling Campaign and the Chair of the London Sustainable Development Commission.
New chair for Cancer Research UK
Simon, Lord Stevens has been appointed the next chair of Cancer Research UK (CRUK) from October. He will take over from Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, who will step down after seven years.
Stevens was formally the chief executive of the NHS from 2014 to 2021. He is a trustee of the Commonwealth Fund, King’s Trust and Nuffield Trust.
Lord Stevens said: “Having worked alongside Cancer Research UK over a number of years, I’ve long admired the charity’s exceptional leadership in advancing the frontiers of cancer science and care.”
Money Advice Trust appoint new chair
The money charity has appointed Christine Farnish as its chair. She will take up the role in July and replace Adam Sharples who has been in the role since 2016.
Farnish is former managing director for public policy at Barclays and consumer affairs director at the Financial Services Authority. She led an independent review of the Money Advice Service in 2014.
Joanna Elson, chief executive of Money Advice Trust, said: “I am delighted to welcome Christine as our new chair, and I look forward to working with her during what is an exciting time for the Trust. Christine brings a wealth of experience, expertise and influence that I know will play a vital part in helping us to support people in financial difficulty and improve outcomes for people in debt more widely.”
Sabre Education welcomes new chair and trustees
Sabre Education, an education charity that operates in rural Ghana, has appointed a new chair and trustees to the board.
Iain Walker, former British High Commissioner to Ghana has been appointed the chair of the charity.
New trustees are:
- Erinna Dia – associate director of early childhood development at UNICEF
- Lucy Heady – CEO of Education Sub-Saharan Africa – ESSA
- Nathan Koblintz – portfolio manager early childhood development at Porticus
- Tom Vandenbosch – global director of programmes at VVOB
RNIB welcomes trustee
Kamiqua Lake has been appointed a trustee of the charity for blind and visually impaired people.
Lake brings 17 years of experience in marketing, digital, social media and public relations. She is founder of the UK Black Comms Network and CEO of Coldr, a brand consultancy company.
Anna Tylor, chair of RNIB, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Kamiqua Lake onto our Board of Trustees. Kamiqua has an exceptional marketing background which spans across a myriad of sectors and disciplines. Her passion for inclusion and community-led strategic communications fits perfectly with the RNIB’s mission to create a world without barriers for people with sight loss.
Patient appointed as trustee of Myeloma UK
Karen Paul, a smouldering myeloma patient, has been appointed a trustee of the blood cancer charity. She is founder of Stellar Theatre, a bespoke theatre in people’s homes and private venues.
Paul also sits on the Campaign Advisory Group for the Royal Free Charity.
She said: “I’m thrilled to join the board of Myeloma UK. When I was diagnosed with smouldering myeloma just as the pandemic hit, I immediately turned to Myeloma UK for guidance, and found this to be extremely helpful and comforting.
“Being both patient and trustee gives me a unique perspective and drive, and means that my commitment to Myeloma UK is fundamental. I’m honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to this wonderful organisation and the patients and families to whom it offers invaluable support.”
