Martin Brookes has been appointed as the new chief executive of employment charity Tomorrow’s People, replacing Deborah Stedman-Scott, who has held the role since 2005.

Brookes is a former City economist who joined the sector as research director and then the chief executive of think tank New Philanthropy Capital. He founded and chairs Pro Bono Economics, which matches volunteer economists with charities.

In June 2013 he joined the Paul Hamlyn Foundation as chief executive after an 18-month stint outside the sector, but left “by mutual agreement” just 13 months later, in July last year and has since been working as a consultant.

Kate Bolsover, chair of the charity, said: “We are delighted to appoint Martin Brookes as chief executive of Tomorrow’s People. Martin is hugely respected as a thinker in the voluntary sector, combining intellectual rigour with a deep understanding of the social and economic landscape.

“Martin has worked closely with Tomorrow’s People in his roles at New Philanthropy Capital and Pro Bono Economics, so we know first-hand the exceptional quality of his thinking.

“The success of Tomorrow’s People is built on our relentless focus on clients, and that will continue under Martin’s leadership as it has under Debbie’s.”

Stedman-Scott first joined Tomorrow’s People in 1984 and will remain closely involved in the charity, working with funders, patrons and ambassadors. She said that it was now “the right time” to move on.

Tomorrow’s People helps long-term unemployed people back into work. It has an annual income of just over £9m in the year to March 2014.

Brookes will take up his position on 9 March.