The Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIoF) has appointed Katie Docherty as permanent chief executive.
Docherty will formally take over on 8 October 2021 following a transition period with the interim chief executive, Dhivya O’Connor. O’Connor took over from Peter Lewis earlier this year.
Docherty has spent the past five years as chief executive of Scouts Scotland, a membership organisation of 40,000 young people and 12,000 adult members.
She is also a former fundraiser for Anthony Nolan, senior manager for Age Scotland, and was a director of the Association of Chief Officers of Scottish Voluntary Organisations (ACOSVO).
She has recently been appointed by the Scottish government as a board member at Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS) and is an assistant beaver scout leader, football season ticket holder and a fellow of the Royal Society for Arts.
Docherty lives in Fife and will become the CIoF’s first Scotland-based chief executive. She is looking forward “to connecting and listening to members over the coming months”.
The CIoF has recently been criticised for its handling of sexual harassment allegations and last week said it had completed its investigation into sexual harassment complaints against a member.
‘I am excited to take on this role at this critical time’
Docherty said: “Fundraisers need a strong, bold, and inspirational Chartered Institute which champions excellence in fundraising; the highest standards of ethics; and empowers and respects fundraisers to create safe environments for fundraising and fundraisers to flourish and be successful.
“That is why I am excited to take on this role at this critical time and look forward to connecting and listening to members over the coming months so that we can work on this together.”
Green Park, an executive search firm, managed the recruitment process.
Green Park spoke to 151 potential applicants which included 17 candidate applications. Seven people were invited for an interview.
Nadine Campbell, interim chair of the CIoF, said: “I’m thrilled that Katie will join us and, on behalf of the board, offer her a very warm welcome to the Chartered Institute. As we embark on a new chapter, we’re confident that she will lead us to become a membership body that fundraisers from all over the UK can be proud of and be a leading agent of change at such an important time for us.”
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