New CEO for Independent Age
Joanna Elson has been appointed as Independent Age’s new chief executive. She joins in September and will replace Deborah Alsina who stepped down in 2022.
Elson joins from Money Advice Trust which she led for 17 years. Before that, she was trustee of Friends Provident Foundation, and an executive director of retail at British Bankers’ Association. She started her career as a researcher in the House of Commons.
On her appointment, Elson said: “I’m delighted to be joining Independent Age as the new CEO in September. It is an exciting time for the charity as it gears up to improve the lives of older people facing financial hardship.”
Designability CEO to step down
Chief executive of disability charity Designability, Catharine Brown, has made the decision to step down after four years at the charity.
She will leave the post in September and the Designability board will begin the recruitment process to appoint a new chief executive.
Chair of trustees, Jerry Marwood, said: “Catharine is right to be proud of her achievements in growing Designability. Not only did she successfully steer the charity through the choppy waters that the Covid-19 pandemic brought, she has also overseen significant growth in our income which has allowed us to help more disabled people through our innovative design and product solutions. Leading the team to create a focused strategy, and now a clear three-year plan to 2026, the charity is stronger than ever thanks to her inspirational and outstanding leadership.
“We and everyone at Designability are sorry to see her go and wish her every success in the future.”
Royal Statistical Society appoints CEO
The Royal Statistical Society has appointed Dr Sarah Cumbers as its new chief executive. She will take up the role in September and replace Stian Westlake, who has moved to be executive chair of the Economic and Research Council.
Nicola Emmerson, director of membership and professional affairs at the society has been interim CEO in the meantime.
Cumbers will join from Lloyds Register Foundation where she is currently director of evidence and insight. Before that, she was programme director at National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
Cumbers said: “The potential value of statistics and data, and the dangers of misuse, have never been more evident than they are in our world today. The RSS has a crucial role to play in ensuring that statistics are well used and understood – and I am looking forward to joining the Society at such an exciting time for our members.”
New CEO for Dementia Carers Count
DCC has appointed Frances Lawrence as its new chief executive officer.
Lawrence joins from Young Women’s Trust where she was director of fundraising for over two years. Before that, she worked as head of fundraising and volunteering at SeeAbility and head of fundraising at Girlguiding. She has also worked for the Prince’s Trust, NSPCC and RNID.
She said: “It is a privilege to be joining DCC. I lost my mum to dementia two years ago so I know how lonely and challenging it can be to care for someone with dementia. I know how hard it is to get support every step of the way and the emotional toll it takes on you as you see your loved one slip away.
“I am determined to make sure that people looking after someone with dementia get the information, recognition and support that they need to be able to cope. DCC has bold ambitions to keep offering and developing easily accessible services that help carers navigate the highs and lows of looking after someone with dementia.”
New chair for Barnardo’s
Mark Wood has been appointed as the next chair of Barnardo’s. He succeeds John Bartlett who reached the end of his term after four years.
Wood is the chair of two global technology businesses, former editor-in-chief of Reuters and chief executive and chair of ITN. He will join the board from 1 August and take over as chair from November.
He is joined by two new trustees: Koulla Yiasouma, former Northern Ireland Commissioner for children and young people and Breid O’Brien, consultant and former director of innovation and digital health with NHS England.
Chief executive, Lynn Perry, said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming three wonderful additions to our board of trustees. The members will each bring a huge wealth of knowledge and expertise that will assist Barnardo’s in responding to the changing external environment and ensuring that the charity is fit for the future.”
Medical Research Foundation appoints chair
Professor Paul Moss has been appointed chair of the Medical Research Foundation and will take up the post from October. He will take over from Nicholas Lemoine, who has been a trustee at the organisation since 2011 and became chair in 2015.
Moss is a professor of Haematology at the University of Birmingham and deputy head of its college of medical and dental sciences.
He was awarded an OBE in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to immunotherapy and Covid-19 research.
Lemoine said: “Paul is an enormously experienced doctor and scientist, whose leadership on coordinating immunology research across the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic helped to save many lives. He is highly dedicated to the development and training of early career researchers and clinicians, which aligns perfectly with the Foundation’s own commitment to supporting the next generation of research leaders.”
Moss said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the Foundation at such an exciting time, with ambitious plans to invest £50 million in life-changing new research by 2029, focusing on some of the biggest threats to human health.”
New chair for Green Alliance
The environmental think tank Green Alliance has announced Laura Sandys as its next chair.
Sandys is a former Conservative MP and energy minister. She chairs the government’s energy digitialisation taskforce and is chair of the British Standards Institute Advisory board on net zero.
Sandys is co-founder of POWERful Women which encourages diversity in the energy sector and founded the Food Foundation which campaigns to ensure everyone can afford and access a healthy diet.
Retiring chair of Green Alliance, Graham Wynne, said: “I’m delighted that someone with such passion for the environment and commitment to Green Alliance’s values will be our next chair. We know what we need to do to restore nature and meet net zero – the ever more urgent need now is for implementation at scale.
“Laura’s knowledge of the business world and depth of experience in Westminster and beyond will be invaluable in this respect. I’m privileged to have been able to play a part in Green Alliance’s success and have every confidence that Laura will take us even further in the coming years.”
King’s College Hospital Charity appoints chair
Adrian Williams has been appointed as the new chair of King's College Hospital Charity, and succeeds George King.
Williams has held senior positions at Bridgepoint, HSBC and Hawkpoint. He also chairs Royal Trinity Hospice.
The charity also welcomes Florence Akende as treasurer, who was already a trustee of the charity. She is financial chief control officer at Barclays and has experience at PwC UK and Uganda.
Director appointed at Museum of London
Jennifer Francis has been appointed to the new role of director of external affairs at the Museum of London.
The role will see her head the external affairs directorate and communications, digital innovation and development teams.
Francis joins from Grounds For Sculpture in the US where she was director of brand and marketing from 2020 to 2023.
Sharon Ament, director of the Museum of London, said: “I am more than delighted that Jennifer is joining the Museum’s executive team in this incredibly important role. In the run up to opening a world-class city museum in the heart of London’s historic centre, her energy, experience, creativity and flair will be a huge asset. Watch this space London!”
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