Interim CEO for Charities Aid Foundation
The trustees of the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) have appointed Caroline Siarkiewicz as interim chief executive.
She will take over on 7 April following Neil Heslop’s decision to retire as chief executive after nearly six years in the role.
Siarkiewicz was previously CEO of the Money and Pensions Service from 2019 to 2024, following senior roles within the service and at one of its predecessors, the Money Advice Service. She is also a member of the Financial Conduct Authority’s consumer panel.
CAF is continuing the recruitment process for a permanent chief executive.
National Philanthropic Trust appoints interim CEO
Natalie Pinon has been appointed interim CEO of National Philanthropic Trust UK, replacing outgoing CEO John Canady.
Pinon was previously executive director of development and was named in the NatWest WISE100 as a leading woman in impact investment.
New CEO for Involve
Sue Tibballs is joining public participation charity Involve as its chief executive from 20 April, replacing interim co-leaders Stephanie Draper and Carly Walker-Dawson.
Tibballs previously served as chief executive of the Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) and Women in Sport, and as chair of both the Fawcett Society and 38 Degrees.
“Over the last 20 years, Involve has shown that supporting people to have a say and to build their influence leads not just to better decision making but is critical to strengthening democracy itself,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to bringing my experience as a campaigner and advocate to make the case for much wider use of such methods that put people at the heart of politics.”
SMK appoints permanent CEO
Campaigning organisation SMK has announced that interim CEO for the past year Katie Roberts will take on the position permanently.
Roberts replaces SMK’s last permanent leader, Sue Tibballs.
“I am so grateful for the trust the SMK team and the board have placed in me and my leadership, and I am very excited about continuing to work alongside our inspirational partners and campaigners to shape a more hopeful and just future,” Roberts said.
Royal College of Anaesthetists appoints CEO
The Royal College of Anaesthetists has announced the appointment of Craig Jones as its new chief executive, effective from August.
Jones has served as chief executive of the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) since 2020.
Prior to this, Jones was director of communications and public affairs at the Advertising Standards Authority, with earlier roles at the UK Cards Association and the Legal Services Board.
Claire Shannon, president of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, said: “I look forward to welcoming Craig as our new CEO.
“He is joining the College at an exciting time, and his considerable expertise in leading charities and associations through periods of change will be invaluable as we move into our new home and next chapter.”
New chair for Action on Smoking and Health
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has announced Rosanna O’Connor as its chair, with previous chair Nick Hopkinson stepping down from the role after seven years.
O’Connor has served as director of addiction and inclusion at the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.
“ASH is a uniquely influential organisation that consistently punches above its weight in shaping policy and improving public health. I am honoured to be taking on the role of chair at such a critical time,” O’Connor said.
“With the UK on the cusp of delivering Smokefree Generation legislation, there is a real opportunity to accelerate progress and reduce the inequalities caused by smoking.”
Erskine announces new chair
Scottish veterans’ charity, Erskine, has appointed Andrew Cowan as the organisation’s new chair.
Cowan is a former captain in the Royal Naval Reserve, where he commanded HMS Dalriada in Glasgow and held senior roles within the Maritime Reserves and the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association.
He is also a housing lawyer and managing partner at TC Young Solicitors.
Cowan joined Erskine in 2003, serving as company secretary for 21 years before being appointed a trustee in December 2024.
Unlock appoints chair
Anne Fox has been announced as the new chair of Unlock, which campaigns against stigma against people with criminal records.
Fox previously led infrastructure charity Clinks and succeeds Faye Goldman, who served as chair and eight years as a trustee at Unlock.
On Fox’s appointment, Unlock’s CEO Paula Harriott said: “Anne Fox’s appointment as chair of Unlock marks an exciting new chapter for the organisation.
“With over a decade of leadership as CEO of Clinks, she brings deep expertise, credibility, and a strong commitment to strengthening the voluntary sector and amplifying lived experience.”
New CFO for London Transport Museum
Helen Campbell will join London Transport Museum’s senior leadership team as its chief financial officer in early April.
Campbell previously held roles with Thomson Reuters and Save the Children International.
Most recently, Campbell held the role of chief financial officer at English National Opera.
Cats Protection appoints finance director
Cats Protection’s current head of budgeting and reporting Rachel Spencer has been promoted to director of finance.
Spencer trained as a chartered accountant in practice and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
She joined Cats Protection as head of budgeting and reporting in 2024.
New chief of people and culture officer at Macmillan
Tiger de Souza, former executive director of people and culture at Samaritans, has announced that he will be leaving the charity to take up the role of chief people and culture officer at cancer support charity Macmillan.
De Souza joined Samaritans in 2023, having previously worked at the National Trust.
He said on LinkedIn that he felt “mixed emotions as I will be incredibly sad to leave Samaritans, especially at this time, but equally extremely excited about joining Macmillan”.
Advance Housing and Support hires executive director of finance and technology
Housing provider Advance Housing and Support has appointed Kayleigh Sterland-Smith as executive director of finance and technology.
Sterland-Smith joins Advance from Rooftop Housing Group where she spent seven years in senior finance roles.
She said: “I’ve joined Advance at a time where the organisation has lots to celebrate, but also a lot more that it wants to do for current and future customers.
“What matters most to me is making sure Advance remains a strong and trusted provider as it moves forward.”
New head of fundraising for Barnabus
Manchester homeless charity Barnabus has announced the appointment of Phil Harris as head of fundraising, beginning in April 2026.
Harris was recently income and partnerships lead at Greater Manchester Youth Network.
He said of his new role: “Barnabus is doing incredible work to tackle homelessness and I'm excited to join them and play my part.
“I’ll be helping our dedicated and knowledgeable fundraising team build on the partnerships and community support which makes our work possible.”
Ellen MacArthur Foundation makes series of leadership team appointments
Regenerative circular economy foundation the Ellen MacArthur Foundation has announced a series of key leadership appointments.
It has named Fiona Treharne as chief operating officer; former Google sustainability leader Nathan Allen as chief AI and innovation Officer; Sean Jones as director of circular technology, and Haley Lieberman as director of network & industry, North America.
The foundation has also recruited new trustees to its board: joining the board are Jamie Butterworth, its founding CEO; Hong Paterson, founder and chief financial officer of Greenbridge Capital Management; and Robert Metzke, global head of sustainability and corporate responsibility at Deutsche Telekom.
New trustee for Horatio’s Garden
Spinal injury support charity Horatio’s Garden has appointed Hattie Ghaui as a trustee on its board.
Ghaui is CEO of Project Giving Back, the grant-making charity that funds gardens for good causes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Prior to this, she held senior strategy and research roles at the creative consultancy Wiser, advising global brands including Nike and Knight Frank, and earlier worked in branding and in conservation philanthropy.
Leukaemia UK appoints trustee
Leukaemia UK has announced the appointment of James Lyons as the newest member of its board of trustees.
Lyons previously held the role of director of strategic communications for prime minister Keir Starmer.
His career has also included leading corporate and policy communications for TikTok and directing communications for the NHS, where he was involved in the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Five new trustees for Veterans’ Foundation
The Veterans’ Foundation has appointed five trustees to its board:
- Catriona Laing – senior British diplomat at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and former British Ambassador and UN Special Representative.
- Celia Liu – executive adviser for private equity with over 20 years’ experience in finance and executive leadership.
- Catherine Spencer, who has over 15 years of senior leadership experience across the charitable, defence, and health sectors, including three CEO roles.
- James Banks – a former captain in the Royal Artillery and senior vice president and head of external communications at Rolls-Royce, civil aerospace.
- Steven Smith, a career officer in the British Army who is now CEO of Care4Calais.
