Depaul UK appoints CEO
Alexia Murphy has been appointed as the CEO of homelessness charity Depaul UK. She succeeds Mike Thiedke, who left last November to lead the Children’s Trust.
Murphy has been executive director of operations for eight years at Depaul UK, and has been acting as interim chief since Thiedke’s departure.
On her appointment, she said: Alexia Murphy, CEO of Depaul said: “I’m delighted to be appointed as the new CEO for Depaul UK. I have worked in the homelessness sector for more than 30 years and at Depaul UK since 2015.
“I am so proud of the innovative approach Depaul UK takes to tackle youth homelessness, and its commitment to creating better long-term outcomes for young people has always driven me.
“We must also ensure we focus our efforts on the hardest-to-reach communities - those without access to even the most basic services.”
CEO of refugee charity steps down
CEO of Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network (LRMN), Rosario Guimba-Stewart, is leaving the organisation after 14 years in post to join London Catalyst as its executive director.
Guimba-Stewart has grown the charity income from £200,000 to over £1m during her tenure, and the charity has grown from having three members of paid staff to 25.
Claire Morris, chair of LRMN, said: “Rosario has served LRMN commendably for 14 years, and in the last five years overseen a significant growth of its team of staff and volunteers, services and income.
“She has navigated the ups and downs of last years – including the challenges of Covid-19 lockdown and its consequent impact on service delivery - with charisma, passion, resilience, and an exemplary work ethic.
“On behalf of the board of trustees, I'd like to express our gratitude to Rosario for her leadership and wish her every success in her new role.”
LRMN is now recruiting for its next leader.
Teesside Hospice recruits CEO
Mike Thornicroft has been appointed to take over from David Smith as CEO of Teesside Hospice.
He joins from Hospice Care North Northumberland, where he was CEO for almost two years. He was also CEO of Tynedale Hospice at Home. Previously, he worked at Ahead Partnership and RNIB.
Elaine Criddle, chair of the hospice, said: “After an extensive search with some superb candidates the board were delighted to appoint Mike to the role.
“His experience in both the charity sector and hospice care and leadership of the hospice team will help us deliver our ambitions objectives for the years ahead.”
Children’s charity hires CEO
Kent-based children’s charity Tree of Hope has announced Becky Andrew as its next CEO. She succeeds Gill Gibb, who held the post for eight years.
Andrew joins from the Diana Award, where she was director of operations for nine years. Before that, she led operations, events and networks at the Teaching Awards Trust.
On her appointment, she said: “I feel privileged to be joining the Tree of Hope team and building on the incredible work they are already doing to support children and families across the UK.
“Every child deserves the right support to thrive, and I am committed to leveraging our collective efforts to ensure that right is realised, inspiring hope, and driving positive change for many more children and families.”
Cockpit appoints CEO
Cockpit, a 30-year-old contemporary arts charity, has appointed Jonathan Burton as its new CEO. He succeeds Annie Warburton, who stepped down in December after five years.
He joins from London Craft Week festival, where he was managing director for six years. He has previously worked at the English National Opera, London Art Fair and the Tate Gallery.
Davina Mallinckrodt, chair of the board of trustees said: “We are excited to have Jonathan leading Cockpit at this important stage in our 30-year history as a charity that helps build creative businesses, by providing studio space, business incubation and mentoring for professional makers.”
Prisoners’ Education Trust announces chair
Paul Kelly has been appointed as the chair of Prisoners’ Education Trust (PET) and succeeds Elisabeth Davies, who stepped down last year.
Kelly is recently retired, but before his retirement worked in several roles. He has experience as a project development coordinator at Citizens Advice, corporate affairs director at Asda and managing director at PK Learning.
PET chief executive Jon Collins said: “I am delighted to welcome Paul to PET as chair. Throughout the recruitment process it has been clear that his values align with ours.
“His experience in the private sector and as a trustee and chair, as well as his experience of the justice system, will be a huge asset to PET.
“I am very much looking forward to working with him as chair to ensure that PET continues to enable people in prison to access education.”
Eve Appeal appoints chair
Cancer charity the Eve Appeal has announced that current trustee Tamara Box has been appointed as its new chair. She succeeds Melanie Richards, who spent 13 years on the charity’s board, four of which as chair.
Box is a partner and former managing partner of law firm Reed Smith and has been on the Eve Appeal’s board for four years.
Outgoing chair, Richards, said: “After 13 years, it feels the appropriate time for me to step down. I am delighted to be handing the baton to Tamara.
“She is a very capable and committed leader and I have every confidence that she will ensure that progress in these areas continues at pace.”
Cats Protection recruits director
Jeff Knott has been appointed as Cats Protection’s new director of advocacy and influence.
Knott is set to join the charity on 1 May from RSPB, where he has been director of policy and advocacy for a year and a half. He has been with the bird charity for 9 years in total.
The advocacy and influence directorate will be part of Cats Protection’s leadership team. Knott has a 14-year-old tortoiseshell cat called Pumpkin.
On his appointment, he said: “One of the best things about working for a charity is how dedicated everyone is to the cause.”
“There's nothing more energising than spending time with passionate people and I'm really looking forward to supporting Cats Protection in delivering our mission. I’ve admired the organisation for a long time and I’m hugely excited to join the team.”
Sustrans appoints director of external affairs
Cycling charity Sustrans has recruited Paul Twocock as executive director of external affairs.
He joins from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) where he has been director of communications and public affairs for over a year. Before that, he held senior roles at the Youth Endowment Fund, Stonewall, Young Lives vs Cancer, the Royal Voluntary Service and more.
Xavier Brice, CEO of Sustrans said: “We are delighted to welcome Paul as our Executive Director for External Affairs.
“Paul’s deep and broad experience will be integral in shaping our message and leading our External Affairs team who highlight the profound impact that our colleagues and volunteers deliver in communities across the UK.
WaterAid UK hires finance director
WaterAid has appointed Syed Abdul Muntakim as its new executive director of finance and strategic planning.
He will take up the role in April and lead the charity’s global strategy. He joins from Farm Africa, where he has been director of finance for over a year. Before that, he worked for BRAC International. He also has 18 years’ experience from the British American Tobacco company.
Tim Wainwright, CEO of WaterAid UK, said: “WaterAid’s Global Strategy focuses on transforming our ambitions, partnerships and approaches to help bring an end to the water, sanitation and hygiene crisis for everyone, everywhere.
“We are therefore extremely grateful to have Muntakim on board. With his extensive expertise in financial management, and experience in the NGO sector, he will play a vital role in delivering our ambitious new global strategy and achieving our mission.”
Stonewall announces trustees
Stonewall has appointed two trustees to its board, Caroline Stockmann and Kushal Khandhar.
Stockmann, a non-executive director for several organisations including Bank of England and Oxfam International, has been appointed as the treasurer after Jean Vianney Cordeiro, who held the post for four years, was made vice chair.
Khandhar is a director at Boston Consulting Group and is responsible for the organisation’s LGBTQ+ diversity, equity and inclusion work. He has a decade of experience in management consulting and DEI and joins the board in a personal capacity.
