FIGO welcomes CEO
The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstretrics (FIGO) has appointed Frances Longley as its next chief executive. She will join in July and take over from Mary Ann Lumsden, who led the charity for two years.
Longley was previously chief executive of ActionAid UK and was the first woman to lead the charity in its history. Formerly, she was chief executive of Amref Health Africa. She has worked at charities including Unicef UK, Care International UK, and more. She is currently a member of BBC’s charity appeals advisory committee.
On her appointment, Longley said: “I am delighted to be joining FIGO at such a critical time for the status of women’s health and rights around the world. As a committed advocate for this work, I am proud to be taking up the CEO position at FIGO – an organisation with a unique global role in improving the health and wellbeing of women, girls and newborns and advocating for their rights.”
National Voices announces CEO
Jacob Lant has been appointed as chief executive of National Voices after Charlotte August stepped down in October 2022.
Lant joins from Healthwatch where he was head of policy, public affairs and research and insight. Before that, he was Healthwatch’s media manager. In previous roles he was senior press officer for Local Government Association and a press officer for the British Library.
Helen Buckingham, chair of National Voices, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jacob to the National Voices team. As we navigate some of the most challenging times any of us have ever experienced, ensuring that the voices of people with lived experience are listened to by decision-makers has never been more important. Jacob’s passion to make a real difference to people who use health and care services shines through everything he does, and we know he will lead National Voices from strength to strength. Sarah Sweeney has been a fantastic interim chief executive and we are very pleased that she will be staying with us in her new role.”
New CEO for the Cares Family
Nicola Upton has been announced as the next chief executive of the Cares Family, a charity that works to reduce loneliness. Upton will succeed the charity’s founder Alex Smith, who is stepping down after 12 years as chief executive.
Upton has two decades of experience in of leading in the charity sector. She joins from Age UK Sutton where she was chief executive. Before this, she worked for National Deaf Children’s Society, Stonewall and more.
Iana Vidal, chair of The Cares Family said: “The board are delighted to welcome Nicola to The Cares Family. In a strong field of candidates, Nicola was the unanimous choice. Throughout the recruitment process she showed that speaks our language, understands the issues and the unique moment that The Cares Family is at.
“Our society is experiencing a crisis of social disconnection. The work The Cares Family does in bringing people together has never been more important.”
Safe Passage announces chair
Safe Passage, a charity that works to help child refugees in Europe reach safety, has appointed Magid Magid as its new chair.
Magid was formerly Lord Mayor of Sheffield and was a member of European Parliament. He is a Somali-British activist who came to the UK as a refugee aged five. He is founder and director of Union for Justice, an independent organisation focused on racial and climate justice.
He said: “It's a real pleasure and privilege to be taking on this role at such a crucial time. Safe Passage International is an exceptional charity that has been playing an integral role in improving access to safe routes for refugees as well as creating an environment where they thrive.
“We have a great team and an excellent vision, and I look forward to playing my part in carrying out vital work and helping build on the amazing effort that has already been happening, especially at a pivotal time when we are witnessing the dehumanisation of refugees in the UK and across Europe."
Dogs Trust appoints chair and chief operating officer
Dogs Trust UK has appointed Louisa Simons as its new chief operating officer and as chair of Dogs Trust Ireland.
She joins from the Money and Pensions service where she was chief operating officer for nine months. Before that, she held the same role at Innovate UK and Corsham Institute.
Simons said: “I’ve joined Dogs Trust at a very busy time for the animal welfare sector as it experiences an unprecedented demand on services. I am excited to be able to combine my skills and experience with my passion for dogs, and I look forward to helping create a better life for our furry best friends.”
Turn2us appoints first head of equity
The anti-poverty charity Turn2us has appointed Thesia Kouloungou as its first head of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. Kouloungou will be responsible for the charity’s long-term diversity strategy.
She joins from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) where she worked as a diversity, inclusion and policy manager. Before that, she was in several senior inclusion roles for Independent Age, London South Bank University, and the National Lottery Community Fund. Previously, she was a charity sector advisor for Nyar K’Odero Group.
She said: “I am happy to be joining Turn2us, and I look forward to working together to drive forward EDIB in our workplace culture and in the services that we provide. I want to do all I can not only to raise awareness about issues like social mobility, but to do the work that reduces barriers for underrepresented groups of people.”
Bond announces director of policy
Bond, the umbrella body for aid charities, has appointed Gideon Rabinowitz as its director of policy and advocacy. He will take up the role in July and succeed Simon Starling who left the role after almost four years in post.
He joins from Agulhas Applied Knowledge where he led reviews for the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI). Before that, he was policy and advocacy manager at Oxfam. He led the UK Aid Network for almost four years rom 2008-2012.
Stephanie Draper, chief executive of Bond, said: “Gideon will be a fantastic addition to the Bond team. His vast experience from across the sector will be invaluable in leading on pressing policy issues and shaping the future of international development. We look forward to welcoming Gideon in July.”
New chief people officer for Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation
Cynthia Duodu has been appointed the hospital charity’s first chief people officer. She will lead the foundation’s equity, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of the organisation’s culture.
She has over 20 years of experience in senior leadership roles. She joins the foundation from Low Carbon Contracts Company, where she worked for over eight years. Currently she is a trustee and non-executive director of Roffey Park Institute.
On her appointment, Duodu said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to join Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation. In this role I’m committed to putting diversity, equity and inclusion at the centre of culture, so that everyone can thrive and work towards our health equity mission. I look forward to working alongside the talented people at the Foundation to realise this shared vision.”
Joseph Rowntree Foundation announces new chief economist
Alfie Stirling has been appointed as JRF’s new chief economist and associate director for insight and analysis.
He joins from the New Economics Foundation, where he was director of research and chief economist for almost three years. He also worked for the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) for four years.
On his appointment, Stirling said: “I am delighted to be joining such an exciting team, at a crucial time for tackling economic insecurity in the UK. JRF is well placed to make a decisive contribution alongside our partners, with both the knowhow to help bring about urgent change today, as well as the resources to help build a lasting alternative for tomorrow. There is much to be done, and I am very much looking forward to playing a part.”
Youth Music appoints six trustees
Youth Music has appointed six new trustees to its board. The charity works to make it easier for young people to access music. A spokesperson for the charity told Civil Society that after having to turn down 77% of funding applications, the charity is appointing these trustees to address the funding gap in grassroot organisations.
- Andrew Lansley – is innovation manager for Cheltenham Festivals
- Berkeley Edwards – is head of music and a principal at Clintons
- Bre McDermott-King – is international product manager at AWAL
- Hanna Chalmers – is senior research practitioner
- Paul Bonham – has a background in public funding, diversity and inclusion, music management and professional development
- Sarah Brown - is the national programme lead for children and young people’s mental health at NHS England
Related articles
