Sarah Winmill is to step down as chair of the CCITDG as a result of her decision to leave the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) for a role at University College London (UCL).

Speaking to civilsociety.co.uk, Winmill confirmed that as she is moving into the education sector, she feels it would probably not be appropriate to continue at CCITDG.

“The thing is, UCL isn’t really a charity, so I think the sensible thing is that I will be stepping down as chair.”

Winmill has been the head of information systems at the V&A for nearly five years and will leave in August.

Jane Deal, head of information & knowledge systems at RNIB and communications officer at the CCITDG, paid tribute to Winmill’s contribution.

“We will be sad to lose Sarah who has been a charismatic and dynamic chair for the organisation.  

“Under the two years of Sarah’s leadership, CCITDG’s profile has increased significantly and members have benefited from a range of valuable, new and interesting activities.  

“For the CCITDG committee it has been an enjoyable experience to serve under Sarah as chair, not least because of the boundless energy and enthusiasm she has brought to the role.”

CCITDG members will vote on Winmill's successor at the organisation's AGM in September.

Larger organisation

UCL is currently in the process of restructuring its IT department and centralising its IT services, and Winmill will be leading a new team to achieve this.

She said: “I am looking forward to working for a larger organisation and a really new challenge.”

Winmill has been the chair of the CCITDG since September 2009 and was also recently made a fellow of the British Computer Society.

The decision brings to an end her second stint at the museum, having previously spent three years as a network support manager at the V&A before joining the Royal Academy of Arts.

She has also held roles at the Historic Royal Palaces, the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Corps of Signals.