The Charity Retail Association has announced the appointment of Robin Osterley as chief executive.

The recruitment follows a turbulent few months for the organisation. Former chief executive Martin Blackwell resigned with immediate effect in July for "personal reasons" and three further staff members left earlier the same year.

Blackwell left the membership organisation - which employs eight people - after just seven months in the role.

Osterley’s background includes leadership roles for third sector membership associations and federations, including sports campaign organisation Supporters Direct and Making Music.

Osterley said in a statement yesterday that he was “extremely excited to be working in such an important and life-affirming sector”.

“I hope to be able to make a significant contribution to this vital world,” he said.

Osterley has appealed for comments and feedback from the group's members and supporters.

“Our members are the lifeblood of the organisation and I want to hear from you,” he said.

The CRA’s latest accounts reveal that income rose by almost £36,000 in the year up to 31 March 2015.

Income from membership subscriptions fell by £18,485 but the shortfall was made up by a £10,000 increase in commercial income.

A statement by chair Ben Merrett, said its financed were “in a healthy state”.

“We continue to maintain reserves at a level sufficient to cope with the unexpected costs or downturns in income and give us the ability to initiate a national campaign in similar situations to the Welsh rates challenge emerge."

Last year, the organisation spent a total of £265,750 on staff costs, employing eight people. The figure was a drop of £24,281 from the previous year.

But is also spent £25,382 on recruitment and training – an £18,336 increase on the previous year.

“We continue to develop our in-house team in line with organisational needs and are expecting to bring certain administrative functions in-house to reduce costs and improve control," Merrett said.