Gerald Oppenheim will stand down next year as chief executive of the Fundraising Regulator (FR), the organisation has announced.
Oppenheim has been with the regulator since its inception a decade ago and will leave in mid-2027.
Originally the regulator’s head of policy and communications, Oppenheim succeeded its first CEO Stephen Dunmore in July 2018.
Oppenheim told the regulator’s chair Lord Toby Harris of his desire to leave earlier this month and his exact departure date will depend on when a successor is found.
The regulator – whose remit covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland – said a recruitment exercise to appoint a new CEO would follow in due course.
Oppenheim, posting to LinkedIn this afternoon, said: "It has been an enormous privilege to be part of the Fundraising Regulator’s journey.
"Helping to build public trust and confidence in fundraising and supporting a sector that does so much good has been a responsibility I will always value enormously."
Harris said: “We have been extremely lucky to have had Gerald Oppenheim leading the Fundraising Regulator for the last eight years ensuring public trust and confidence in fundraising.
“Under his leadership the regulator has evolved to become a recognised part of the charity landscape.”
Harris credited Oppenheim with high-quality casework outcomes, increasing the number of levy payers and registrants and the publication of the FR’s 2025 Code of Fundraising Practice.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for everything he has done for us, said Harris.
“There will of course be a fuller opportunity to wish him well nearer the final date of his departure.”
Prior to joining the FR, Oppenheim was the director of policy and partnership at the Big Lottery Fund and freelanced at various charities, trusts and foundations.
He will remain chair of the London Emergencies Trust and vice chair of the National Emergencies Trust.
