New CEO for civil servant charity
The Charity for Civil Servants has announced that Jonathan Freeman will take up the role of the CEO in September. He will replace Graham Hooper, who has led the charity for nine years.
Freeman is founding CEO of CareTech Charitable Foundation, a grantmaking organisation, and was formerly interim CEO of the COSARAF Charitable Foundation from 2018 – 2021.
Peter Schofield, chair of trustees, said: “We are very lucky to have someone of Jonathan’s calibre joining the charity as CEO and I look forward to working closely with him, as the charity continues to offer such vital support to our civil service community.”
Stonewall appoints Simon Blake as CEO
Stonewall has appointed Simon Blake as its incoming chief executive.
Blake, who will begin his new role in September, is currently CEO of Mental Health First Aid England, a role he has held since October 2018.
“In an increasingly polarised world, empathy is built and change created through conversation, dialogue and alliances,” said Blake.
“Stonewall has always been at the vanguard of change. I am honoured to have been appointed as CEO and I am excited to work with, for and on behalf of our diverse LGBTQ+ communities."
Kids’ Village appoints first permanent CEO
Kids’ Village, a charity which is aiming to build the UK’s first holiday village providing free breaks for children with critical illnesses, has appointed Katrina Cooke as its first permanent CEO.
Cooke joins Kids’ Village from the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, where she has most recently held the role of chief commercial officer.
She takes over the helm from Paul Faulkner who has held the role of interim CEO since the charity’s relaunch in January.
On Call Africa CEO steps down
Ben Margetts has announced he will step down as chief executive of international development charity On Call Africa in the next 10 months.
He said: “As we reach a critical stage of growth, I feel it’s important to have a CEO who is proximate to our work, driving it forward and ensuring alignment with the needs of the Zambian Health System.
“I remain passionate about our work and am committed to ensuring a smooth transition over the next 10 months.
“We aim to have a new CEO in place as soon as possible to facilitate a seamless handover before I move on.”
CIoF appoints chair
The Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIoF) has named Harpreet Kondel as its next chair. She will succeed Nadine Campbell, who has been in post for three years.
Kondel is interim director of public income and engagement at RNIB and has 30 years’ experience in the sector. She works freelance for Halpin as a consulting fellow and is a trustee and chair of the fundraising committee at St John Ambulance.
She has experience working in interim roles at MS Society, the Trussell Trust, Animals Asia and more.
Blood cancer charity appoints chair
Blood cancer charity Myeloma UK has appointed David Ereira as its chair.
Ereira is a partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP and was a trustee and acting chair of Marie Curie.
“I’m delighted and honoured to be taking up the position of chair of the Myeloma UK board of trustees,” said Ereira.
STAMMA appoints chair
STAMMA has announced that, after an extensive search, Roger Pim will lead its board, after illness forced Joanna Gaukroger to step down.
Abrdn senior investment director Pim first got involved in the charity in 2004 as a founding board member of the Scottish branch of the British Stammering Association (now STAMMA), where he was involved until 2007.
Acting chair Paul Fix will continue in post until October, when he will formally hand over the reins to Pim.
Karen Frank announced as BHF chair
Karen Frank has been announced as the British Heart Foundation’s chair.
Frank has been a member of the BHF’s board since October 2019 and acting chair since the end of 2023.
She has led several global businesses during her career including roles at Sovereign Wealth Fund, Barclays and Goldman Sachs.
Trussell Trust appoints chair
Anti-poverty charity the Trussell Trust has appointed Natalie Campbell as chair, taking over from Stephen Hicks.
Campbell is currently CEO of Belu Water, an ethical drinks business which gives away 100% of its net profit annually to WaterAid, and chancellor of the University of Westminster.
She has held a range of positions at the Royal Foundation, Civil Service Commission, and as chair of the Nominet Trust and of Grant Thornton’s Vibrant Economy Commission.
Health charity appoints chair
Director of strategic planning for NHS Lothian Colin Briggs is joining Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland as its chair.
Briggs’s 24 years of NHS management experience includes 15 years of running hospitals and GP services and he has been chair of Penumbra Mental Health for over two years.
As well as his extensive professional experience in the healthcare sector, Briggs has personal experience of the conditions CHSS supports.
He explained: “My maternal grandmother had a stroke when she was 53 and as a result she lost her fine motor skills.
“My other grandmother had COPD in the last few years of her life and I’ve got a very good friend that has Long Covid.
“I have been very impressed with the innovations CHSS is making in that field with its work to provide support services and tailored resources to help people self-manage their condition.”
Senior appointments at Open Sight Hampshire
Ian Morris and Gemma McKnight have been recruited as members of the sight loss charity’s senior leadership team.
Morris will join in the new role of head of service from Guide Dogs, where he was interim deputy chief operations officer for a year. Before that, he was national head of operations projects. He has held various roles in pharmaceutical companies.
McKnight will become head of income generation and communications. She joins Open Sight Hampshire from Oracle Cancer Trust, where she has been head of fundraising and communications for two years. She is currently a trustee of Wessex Cancer Support. She has held posts at Jubilee Sailing Trust, Maggie’s Centre and more.
Chief executive Chris Dixon said: “The appointment of Ian and Gemma reinforces our commitment to move the organisation forward and raise its profile within Hampshire.
“Our main priority is meeting the needs of people with visual impairment, with innovative and proactive services.
“Ian will bring skills, knowledge and lived experience that will be vital in this journey and Gemma will support us to identify funds and support that will enable us to sustain and build upon our goals and aspirations.”
New deputy director for children’s charity
The children’s charity Demelza has appointed Dave Winch as its deputy director of nursing.
Winch has more than 20 years’ experience in nursing and was most recently a senior lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU). He is honorary lecturer at CCCU and an external examiner at the University of Wales.
On his appointment, he said: “I first came to Demelza when I was a student nurse and to provide teaching around tracheostomy and ventilation care when I was working at a tertiary centre.
“The reason I wanted to come back here is the atmosphere. Everyone has been hugely welcoming and it's been amazing seeing the care that has been delivered and that remains top notch today.”
Friends of the Earth co-executive directors stand down
After four and a half years leading Friends of the Earth, Miriam Turner and Hugh Knowles have resigned as co-executive directors.
Their decision to stand down comes after Knowles had to take a leave of absence from work due to a health issue.
Miriam and Hugh joined Friends of the Earth as co-directors of innovation back in 2017, before taking on the role of co-executive directors in 2020. They have decided to stand down together.
Friends of the Earth’s board is working closely with staff on an interim arrangement, while a permanent replacement for the co-executive director role is found.
Emergencies charity honours Elizabeth Balgobin
The National Emergencies Trust has named former trustee Elizabeth Balgobin, who passed away in March this year, as an honorary trustee in recognition of her contribution to its formation.
It has also announced the appointment of four new trustees and the departures of Jhumar Johnso, Louise Wilson and Ashley Head.
The new trustees are former Refuge CEO Ruth Davison, former deputy mayor for fire and resilience Baroness Fiona Twycross, Cosegic chair Martin Smith and Odgers Berndtson Group managing partner Jes Ladva.
CPRE announces president
Mary-Ann Ochota has been elected president of countryside charity CPRE.
Ochota is a broadcaster, author and anthropologist whose passionate expertise has engaged people worldwide with landscapes, heritage and the natural world.
She has presented factual programmes for the BBC, Channel 4 and National Geographic, including Time Team, Mystic Britain and Ancient Impossible.
Ochota said: "What an honour to be elected president of CPRE, the countryside charity, at such a critical moment for our country and our planet.”
Brain Tumour Research announces chair
UK charity Brain Tumour Research has announced changes to its board of trustees effective from 1 July 2024, the beginning of its new financial year.
As the charity celebrates 15 years since its launch, Wendy Fulcher is standing down as chair while current vice chair Rob Hughes will take over as its new chair and trustee Sue Farrington Smith will become vice chair.
Former chief executive of Brain Tumour Research, Farrington Smith led the coming together of a number of brain tumour charities to found Brain Tumour Research in 2009.
At the end of June last year, Farrington Smith announced that she was retiring from her role as chief executive after undergoing extensive surgery for low-grade abdominal cancer the previous year.
Hughes and his wife, Carole, established Anna’s Hope, a member charity of Brain Tumour Research when they lost their youngest daughter Anna to a brain tumour at the age of three.
StepChange recruits chief operating officer
StepChange has appointed Martin Clift as its chief operating officer.
Clift, who will take up the role at the beginning of September, previously worked at Barclays for 37 years, during which time he specialised in large scale distribution, operations leadership and strategic transformation.
Clift said: “I’m really proud to be joining StepChange and I look forward to contributing to the important work that the charity does, particularly at a time when so many people need support with their finances.”
