Chief executives
Savera UK has appointed its first chief executive.
The charity's founder, Afrah Qassim, was appointed as chief executive in May after 10 years as chair.
She said: “I am looking forward to navigating the charity through these difficult times with the support of our dedicated staff, volunteers and board of directors. We will continue to work collaboratively to support people at risk in abusive environments, speak out against culturally-specific forms of abuse and educate the next generation, so that they might be the ones to end harmful practices.”
Tom Skirrow has been appointed as the new chief executive of the international development charity TREE AID.
He started the role at the beginning of July, after more than four years as director of operations for the charity.
During his time at TREE AID, he has led the team to deliver significant growth across its operations, securing large-scale investment for projects in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ethiopia, Mali and Niger.
Prior to this, Skirrow was country director for Save the Children in Vanuatu, where he led the emergency response to the category five cyclone that devastated the island in 2015.
He said: “I am enormously proud to work for TREE AID and for what we’ve achieved during my time here so far. Throughout my career, I have spent a lot of my time responding to the aftermath of major crises, including flooding and drought. At TREE AID, I have the unique privilege of working on a solution to these catastrophic events that threaten the lives of the most vulnerable.”
UK Community Foundations (UKCF) has appointed Rosemary Macdonald as chief executive, having acted as interim chief executive of UKCF since March.
Operations
Revitalise, a charity providing respite holidays for disabled people and carers, has appointed Joanne Lappin as its new executive director of quality.
At Hampshire County Council, her current role is head of governance and assurance, overseeing statutory adult safeguarding, care governance and assurance across Adults’ Health and Care.
She joins Revitalise in the autumn and will lead on all quality responsibilities, to ensure that Revitalise is an exemplar in providing holiday breaks for guests and carers.
Jan Tregelles, Revitalise’s chief executive, said: “We are excited to welcome Joanne as Revitalise’s new executive director of quality. Joanne’s fantastic career within health and social care speaks for itself, and I’m looking forward to working with her to ensure that quality is at the heart of everything we do.”
Chairs and trustees
Simon Murray has been elected as the new chair of CPRE, the countryside charity.
Murray was chief operating officer at the National Trust until he retired last year. He was elected chair at CPRE’s AGM on 24 June 2020.
Murray said: “I’m looking forward to being part of CPRE the countryside charity’s exciting new journey.
“Today we need CPRE more than ever. The climate crisis and unprecedented development pressure threaten the spirit and character of our countryside. The coronavirus pandemic has made us realise how essential our countryside and the green spaces near where we live are for our wellbeing.
“CPRE’s new strategy recognises that by caring for the countryside, we care for ourselves. We need to raise our collective voice for the countryside and rural communities.”
Carers UK has appointed Nick Baird chair. He will begin his role in October 2020.
Baird takes over from Professor David Grayson who has served in the role since 2012.
Baird has spent the last six years leading the global communications, public affairs and responsible business activity of the international energy company Centrica.
Baird said: “The Covid-19 crisis has highlighted even more the vital role of unpaid carers and the importance of supporting them effectively. As someone – like so many – with personal caring responsibilities, I am delighted to be joining Carers UK to help drive our campaign forward.”
Srabani Sen has been elected as the new chair of ActionAid UK. She will take up her position in September 2020.
Sen joins ActionAid UK with 30 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, including three chief executive roles and three chair roles.
In 2019, she launched leadership consultancy Full Colour to bring a new approach to diversity and inclusion.
Sen said: “I am so excited to be joining ActionAid UK. It is such an incredible organisation – I feel privileged to be a part of it. Never have ActionAid UK’s efforts to create a fairer world mattered more. I can’t wait to join the board, staff and volunteers of ActionAid UK, and contribute to the wonderful work they do.”
Maths on Toast has appointed two new trustees, Dami Solebo and Sarah Watzek.
Solebo is business director at charity Finding Rhythms, overseeing fundraising, programme development and partnerships.
Watzek works at an artificial intelligence research company in human resources. Prior to that she spent a decade in the charity sector with the British Heart Foundation and Teach First.
Lucy Davis, chief executive of Maths on Toast said: “Since 2012, Maths on Toast has grown from a pop-up event in an old shop to a well-established and respected maths charity with a unique approach. Sarah and Dami bring fresh eyes, insight and expertise to the board.
“We all look forward to a further journey of sustainable growth bringing playful, accessible, creative maths to families across the UK.”
Presidents
Norman Lamb is joining the National Autistic Society as a vice president.
Lamb will join the 12 existing vice presidents.
He has a history of campaigning alongside the National Autistic Society during his time as the Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk from 2001 to 2019, particularly around long diagnosis waiting times and the scandal of autistic people stuck in mental health hospitals.
Lamb said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed as a vice president of the National Autistic Society. The rights of autistic people is an issue close to my heart. Having worked closely with the charity on a number of campaigns, I’m very pleased to continue my support in this way.”
Living Streets has appointed Lord Michael Bates as its new president.
Lord Bates, a conservative peer, is a former Home Office and DFID minister. He is also walking ambassador for the County of Northumberland, author of Walk your Dream and an enthusiastic supporter of walk to school.
Susan Claris, transport planner at Arup, the global engineering and design consultancy, has been appointed vice president.
Claris said: “The work Living Streets does in promoting walking and championing better streets for walking is vital to combatting many of society’s issues and improving people’s quality of life.
“As an avid walker, I experience the benefits it brings to my life on a daily basis. It’s a real joy to be appointed Living Streets’ Vice President at such a time of step change for active travel.”
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