Former NCVO chief executive Sarah Elliott has announced that she is stepping down as chief executive of Shelter after just over 12 months in the role.
Posting on LinkedIn, Elliott explained that she felt the role now required someone with different skills to hers.
Stating that she had made the decision earlier this summer, Elliott said: “I’ve often said that organisations need different leaders for different times and I’m proud to have led Shelter through a transition year of important wins in the fight for home.
“However, I have concluded that the role ahead needs a different set of strengths to what I bring, and it’s right to step aside now rather than later.”
Elliott joined the homelessness charity last year after four years as head of sector umbrella body NCVO.
Confirming that her last day at Shelter will be 16 October, Elliott said that her focus has been on laying the foundations for the charity to remain in a strong position as it looks towards its next strategy.
“With homelessness at the top of the political agenda and more collaboration across the sector than ever before, I leave with real confidence in the Shelter team and our partners,” she said.
“For me personally, I’m looking forward to what comes next. I’ll say more soon on some exciting plans I’ve been making.
“But for today I wanted to say what a true privilege it has been to work alongside the communities most affected by the housing emergency, our partners and supporters over the last 12 months,” said Elliott.
She concluded: “My biggest thanks go to my Shelter exec team colleagues, the board of trustees and particularly my chair Helen MacNamara who has given me so much support and encouragement.”
MacNamara confirmed that Mairi MacRae, director of campaigns, policy and communications, and Andy Harris, director of income generation, are now jointly acting up while recruitment for a new CEO is underway.
She said: “Sarah made a valuable contribution during her time at Shelter and she leaves with the board’s thanks and best wishes.”
