The government has named experienced sector leader Julia Unwin as its preferred candidate to be the next chair of the Charity Commission.
Unwin, who previously led the Joseph Rowntree Foundation for nine years and chaired the Civil Society Futures inquiry in 2018, will now appear before MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport select committee for pre-appointment scrutiny on 25 November.
Mark Simms, who has been interim chair of the commission since Orlando Fraser stepped down earlier this year, has had his term extended until 24 January 2026 to allow for the appointments process to complete.
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Dame Julia brings a wide range of experience and expertise to the role having worked across both civil society and regulation.
“It makes her an outstanding candidate to be the chair of the Charity Commission.
“This will be a vital, public role to ensure that the Charity Commission’s independent regulation delivers high levels of public trust and confidence in charities.”
Unwin, who previously held the former role of charity commissioner for five years, received the outstanding leadership award at the 2010 Charity Awards and was made a dame in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to civil society.
In her 2018 inquiry, she said the future purpose of civil society should focus on putting more power in the hands of people and communities.
Unwin is due to receive £62,500 per annum for a time commitment of two and half days per week if appointed as commission chair.
She has not declared undertaking any significant political activity in the past five years such as holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election.
The government’s appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s governance code on public appointments.
Ministers were assisted in their decision-making by an advisory assessment panel which included a departmental official and a senior independent panel member approved by the commissioner for public appointments.
‘Deep understanding of sector’
NCVO’s executive director Leigh Brimicombe said: “Our congratulations to Dame Julia Unwin’s on the news of her nomination as the next chair of the Charity Commission.
“Her background as a former charity commissioner, chief executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and chair of the Civil Society Futures inquiry gives her a broad, and deep, understanding of the sector’s strengths and challenges.
“At a time when charities face sustained financial and social pressures, we look forward to a constructive working relationship focused on fair, independent and proportionate regulation.
“We also want to thank Mark Simms for his interim leadership during a period of significant challenge for the sector.”
