The chief executive of a national domestic abuse charity has taken early retirement following her husband’s death last year.
Ellen Miller became permanent CEO of SafeLives in April 2024 after a previous stint as interim leader the year before.
Miller, who took over at SafeLives from Suzanne Jacob, has held several other charity sector roles including as interim CEO of Refuge and acting leader of Versus Arthritis.
Announcing her decision to retire, Miller said: “Leading SafeLives as CEO has been an absolute privilege and a joy. But when my lovely husband Terry died, 12 months ago, my life changed for ever.
“After much reflection, I’ve decided it’s time for me to make a new life. I want a gentler pace, and to focus my time on finding joy in the music and creative arts that have always been on the back burner as I’ve cared for first my kids and then my husband during his long battle with dementia.
“I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved together and I leave SafeLives with a clear strategy, exciting and pivotal work underway to define what a whole picture response looks like, and clear plans to be a well-managed organisation, with strong and principled leadership from a talented board and the authentic voices of survivors at the heart of what we do.”
The charity has appointed Jo Silver, its director of quality and innovation, and Liz Thompson, its director of external relations, as its joint interim CEOs.
SafeLives chair Maria Miller said the departing CEO was leaving with the board’s “deepest gratitude and our very best wishes”.
“On behalf of the board and everyone at SafeLives, I want to thank Ellen for her outstanding leadership, her warmth, and her ability to bring people together around what matters most: the safety and freedom of adult and child survivors of domestic abuse,” she said.
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