Dynamic Earth appoints chief executive
Edinburgh’s science centre and planetarium charity Dynamic Earth has appointed Gwilym Gibbons as its chief executive to succeed Anastasia Rocke.
Gibbons will take on the role in May 2026 and replace Rocke who has served as interim CEO since July 2025.
The incoming chief executive will join from the Crichton Trust where he has been CEO since 2018.
He is also an active lifeboat crew member and holds various non-executive positions with organisations including NHS Dumfries and Galloway and the National Independent Lifeboat Association.
Pete Downes, Dynamic Earth trustee chair, said: “We were enormously impressed with Gwilym’s experience, including in relation to large-scale capital projects, which we believe make him ideally placed to lead Dynamic Earth through an exciting period of change and transformation.”
Islamic Relief Worldwide brings in chief executive
Islamic Relief Worldwide has appointed Iftikhar Shaheen as its chief executive.
Shaheen has taken charge immediately to replace Waseem Ahmad and brings more than 20 years of experience as a humanitarian and international development practitioner.
Interim CEO Nadeem Malik will return to his role of managing director at the charity.
Shaheen has held leadership roles with organisations including VSO International, Norwegian Refugee Council, and Merlin – now part of Save the Children.
Islamic Relief’s chair Haroun Atallah said: “Iftikhar's wealth of experience, values-driven leadership, and commitment to humanitarian excellence will strengthen our ability to serve the world's most vulnerable communities.”
Winning Scotland hires CEO
Children’s charity Winning Scotland has hired Richard Orr as its chief executive.
Orr will take over in February from Zahra Hedges, who is leaving after four years, having held roles in communications, business development and fundraising.
He also serves as a trustee of charity Healthy Valleys in Lanarkshire.
Catherine Simpson, Winning Scotland’s chair, said: “We are very grateful to Zahra for her leadership, dedication, and vision.
“Richard has been part of Winning Scotland since the beginning […] we know that Winning Scotland will be in the safest of hands under his leadership.”
Chair joins ActionAid UK
ActionAid UK has appointed Joy Warmington to chair its board of trustees.
Warmington led racial justice and equality charity brap for more than 20 years and will begin her term at ActionAid UK in May this year.
She has also developed access programmes for marginalised communities across Birmingham and built international partnerships, including in South Africa, as a teacher.
Warmington will replace interim chair Faraz Tasnim, who said: “Joy’s appointment reflects ActionAid UK’s ongoing commitment to feminist, inclusive leadership that shifts power and drives meaningful, lasting change.”
Chair hire made at NCB
The National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has appointed Sarah Mullen as its chair of trustees.
Mullen, who has more than 35 years’ experience in the public and charity sector, has previously chaired Bliss and Respect, as well as serving as co-chair on the government’s expert panel on the mental health needs of children in care.
She has been an NCB trustee since 2022 and its vice chair since 2023. Mullen has replaced Alison O’Sullivan who stepped down in December 2025.
Anna Feuchtwang, NCB chief executive, said: “I know she will challenge us to go further and do better as we support the many children, young people and families facing deepening financial pressures and unacceptably high levels of household poverty.”
Veterans’ Foundation picks new chair
Military charity the Veterans’ Foundation has appointed Andrew Anderson as its chair.
The new chair has been a charity trustee for three years and succeeds Peter Mountford after a decade of service.
Anderson, who served for seven years in the parachute regiment, said: “I’m very grateful to Peter for his leadership and the personal mentorship he has shown me. He has helped shape the Veterans’ Foundation into a vital force for good. It’s a privilege to now serve as chair.”
MVT appoints new co-chairs and trustee
The Music Venue Trust (MVT) has announced the appointments of Chris Prosser and Jane Beese as co-chairs.
Prosser and Beese have joined the charity which represents hundreds of UK grassroots music venues after Phyllis Belezos stepped down as co-chair.
Madeleine Blyth also joins to bring the number of MVT trustees to 16.
Beese became a MVT trustee in September 2023 and hosted Venues Day 2014 at the Southbank Centre, central London, and the same event two years later at The Roundhouse in Camden.
Prosser, a founding member of the board, served as MVT chair from its 2014 inception until September 2019. He recently became interim co-chair and the charity’s announcement formalises that.
Beverley Whitrick, MVT chief operating officer, said: “The appointment of Chris and Jane as co-chairs, alongside the addition of Madeleine’s expertise, strengthens our ability to advocate effectively for the venues, artists, and communities who depend on this essential cultural network.”
Chair of Paul Hamlyn Foundation steps down
The chair of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation has stepped down after more than two decades.
Jane Hamlyn left the charity established by her father Paul in 1987 in December 2025 after 23 years.
She will be succeeded by trustee James Lingwood but will remain a trustee.
The outgoing chair was awarded a CBE in 2019 in recognition of her work as chair and the charity has provided grants to organisations including the Royal Shakespeare Company, Tate, and YoungMinds.
Halima Khan, chief executive, said: “We extend our deepest thanks to Jane for her exceptional leadership, commitment and service to the foundation”.
King’s Foundation chair departs after peerage
The chair of the King’s Foundation has departed having been offered a life peerage.
Ann Limb was conferred a life peerage by King Charles after a nomination made by prime minister Keir Starmer and will sit on the Labour benches in the House of Lords to take the title Baroness Limb, of Moss Side in the City of Manchester.
Limb will continue in her role as chair while the board looks for her successor.
She said: “This is a significant honour and not one I had expected. I shall miss the work I have been able to do for The King’s Foundation enormously.”
Scottish SPCA hires new corporate services director
The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has hired Tom Greenan as its corporate services director.
Greenan has previously worked in a similar role at Forestry and Land Scotland and as a route finance director with Network Rail in Scotland. He was also a board trustee at St Vincent’s Hospice from July 2019 to June 2021.
Mark Bishop, Scottish SPCA chief executive, praised Greenan’s “excellent business skills” on his appointment to the animal welfare charity.
Greenan added: “I am very excited to be joining one of the best known and longest established charities in Scotland.”
Canal & River Trust to bring in interim fundraising director
The Canal & River Trust has announced the appointment of Tim Hunter as its interim fundraising director.
Hunter, replacing Maggie Gardner, will join the charity in February 2026 having been interim director of income generation at the NSPCC since April 2025.
He also served as director of private sector partnership and fundraising at the UN World Food Programme, Oxfam GB fundraising director and UNICEF international fundraising director.
Campbell Robb, Canal & River Trust chief executive, said: “I’m delighted that Tim will be joining the trust.
“His wealth of experience will be of great value as our charity continues to appeal to the public to support our incredible 250-year-old canal network.”
Bayes Centre for Charity Effectiveness director to step down
Alex Skailes has stepped down as director of Bayes Centre for Charity Effectiveness (CCE).
Skailes departed from City St George’s University of London after 15 years in the post at the end of December last year.
She has been appointed as an honorary visiting professor at Bayes so will continue her relationship there.
Skailes said: “I am proud of the role CCE has played in supporting leadership, governance, and being a catalyst for impact across the nonprofit sector.
On her appointment as visiting professor, she added: “I look forward to seeing CCE continue to thrive and to staying close to the sector and in contact with many of you.”
Charity Commission secures new director
The Charity Commission has appointed Jan Lasik as its director of legal and accountancy services.
Lasik was formerly general counsel and secretary of the National Trust and served as deputy head of legal at the Bank of England.
He will be responsible for assuring the legal integrity of the commission’s regulatory work and policies.
David Holdsworth, commission chief executive, said: “We were fortunate to attract an impressive pool of candidates in which Jan stood out.
“He brings a strong understanding of charity and wider law at a challenging time for the sector.”
Motor Neurone Disease Association appoints first chief operating officer
The Motor Neurone Disease Association has appointed Quinton Newell as its first chief operating officer.
Newell, who has 25 years of experience, joined the association from the National Institute for Health and Care Research. He previously spent 14 years at Cancer Research UK.
Tanya Curry, chief executive, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Quinton to the executive leadership team.
“As chief operating officer, Quinton will play a key role in driving forward our strategy, strengthening how we work across the organisation.”
Trustees appointed at British Red Cross
British Red Cross has announced the appointments of Helen Bennett and Gabrielle Inglis to its board of trustees.
The pair joined the board on 1 January 2026. Bennett is chief executive of PR agency Weber Shandwick UK and has more than 25 years of experience in communications.
Inglis has worked as a wealth management associate in the Royal Bank of Canada’s charity team.
They have replaced Lewis Iwu and Geeta Nargund who stood down on 31 December in 2025 after two full terms, eight years, on the board.
Liz Padmore, British Red Cross chair, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Helen Bennett and Gabrielle Inglis to the board.
“Each brings valuable experience and insights that will strengthen our leadership and the impact of the British Red Cross.”
Trustees join SCVO board after election
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has elected Carolyn Lochhead, Kenny Steele, Allison Barr, Chris Platt, and Kim Atkinson as new trustees.
They were elected after Scotland’s national membership organisation for the voluntary sector held an AGM in December.
Lochhead is director of external affairs at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations. Steele is chief executive of the Highland Hospice.
Team Jak Foundation CEO Barr also joins along with Montrose Community Trust chief executive Platt.
Scottish Sports Association CEO Atkinson returns to the SCVO board for a second term to replace Gillian Reid-McKee.
New president joins Humanists UK
Actor and writer Janet Ellis has been announced as the next president of Humanists UK.
Ellis has replaced Adam Rutherford and her term will run through 2027. She has presented major BBC shows including Jigsaw and Blue Peter from 1983 to 1987.
The MBE winner, awarded in 2016, has been an ambassador of Maggie’s cancer centres, Reading Force and Marie Curie. She also serves as a National Youth Theatre trustee.
Andrew Copson, Humanists UK chief executive, said: ‘We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Janet Ellis as our next president.
“Janet is a brilliant communicator with a unique ability to connect with people.”
