Pro Bono Economics, the volunteering charity for economics professionals, has announced the appointment of Julia Grant as chief executive.

Grant has a ten-year history as a charity chief executive, and currently works as acting chief executive of Impetus-PEF. She will start her new role in April.

In a statement today, Grant said she was “excited” to be leading the organisation through a “new period of growth”.

“The challenge of how best to use scarce resources is the pressing concern of our day and for the charity sector the issue is particularly acute. Pro Bono Economics’ work at the heart of this issue is widely respected,” she said.

Grant joined Impetus-PEF in 2011 as portfolio manager and became acting chief executive last year, when she was responsible for the implementation of the organisation’s new strategy. She has previously worked as chief executive for the National Gardens Scheme and chief executive of Surrey Community Action. She is also an advisory board member of Big Society Capital and Ashoka UK.

Andy Haldane, trustee and co-founder of Pro Bono Economics, said Grant was an ideal candidate to implement its new strategy.

"Pro Bono Economics is about to embark on an ambitious new strategy, deepening our support to charities and widening our policy horizons. We needed a top-quality chief executive to deliver this change programme.

"I am delighted to say that, in Julia, we have found one.  Everyone at Pro Bono Economics is tremendously excited about what lies in store."