Bowel Research UK hires CEO
Bowel Research UK has hired Kathryn Pretzel Shiels as its chief executive after she served as interim CEO for almost a year.
Pretzel Shiels has been involved with the charity for a decade, serving as trustee and fundraising, marketing and communications committee chair.
Asha Senapati, Bowel Research UK chair, said: “Kathryn has already demonstrated strong and effective leadership previously as a trustee and then during her time as interim CEO.”
SolarAid chief to step down
Poverty and climate change charity chief executive John Keane is set to step down from SolarAid after more than 20 years there.
The charity has announced that Keane will leave in June after serving for nine years as CEO.
Chair Lionel T. Marumahoko said: “John has played a central role in building SolarAid into one of the leading organisations in the global energy access sector.
“He led the design and launch of SunnyMoney's earliest solar programmes in Africa; led the growth of SolarAid as a respected social enterprise; and, as CEO since 2017, guided SolarAid through a period of strategic transformation.”
Charity founder made FoodCycle chief
The founder of an affordable food clubs charity has been hired as chief executive at FoodCycle.
Social entrepreneur Mark Game succeeds Sophie Tebbetts who steps down after a decade at the charity.
Game previously founded the Bread and Butter Thing and co-created social supermarket the Community Shop.
Mary McGrath, FoodCycle’s chair, welcomed the appointment of Game who has served as trustee there for almost 10 years.
She added: “[Mark] brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, and knows FoodCycle well.”
Eric Liddell Community appoints CEO
The Eric Liddell Community has announced that Megan Veronesi will succeed John MacMillan as CEO of the dementia care charity after he served a decade in the role.
Veronesi has more than 15 years’ experience including in senior roles at the Royal Trinity Hospice, Firstport and Edinburgh World Heritage.
Irene Adams, charity chair, said: “Megan’s breadth of experience and leadership within the sector make her exceptionally well placed to lead the charity through its next phase of development.”
Youth Music brings in chief executive
Youth Music has brought in Adam Joolia as its chief executive who joins from an audio charity.
Joolia has served as CEO for nearly two decades at Brighton-based AudioActive and will lead Youth Music to implement its five-year strategy.
His past charity helped develop artists Rizzle Kicks, Celeste and Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn.
Charlotte Edgeworth and Isaac Borquaye, Youth Music co-chairs, said: “His track record of bold, inclusive and strategic leadership – combined with deep experience across music and youth sectors – makes him the ideal person to guide Youth Music’s next phase.”
Brain Charity hires CEO
Matt Meaney has been appointed as chief executive of the Brain Charity.
Meaney’s appointment follows the departure of Pippa Sargent last year and he brings leadership experience from across the voluntary sector.
This comes after he stepped down from his role as head of fundraising at Zoe’s Place after six years. He also served as CEO of Wirral Mencap.
Gus Baker, chair of trustees, said: “Matt brings significant experience from across the voluntary sector and impressed the board with his thoughtful approach, collaborative spirit and commitment to our mission.”
Kidney Research UK appoints CEO
Kidney Research UK has brought in Fiona Carragher as its chief executive.
Carragher has been working as chief policy and research officer at the Alzheimer’s Society.
She has also served as NHS England deputy chief scientific officer and her appointment follows the retirement of Sandra Currie after 13 years as CEO.
Chair Matthew Newcombe Ellis said: “She joins an organisation with a strong team and real momentum.”
Autistica appoints CEO
Autism research and campaigning charity Autistica has appointed Elizabeth Archer as chief executive.
Elizabeth Archer, known as Ed, will be moving on from her current role as CEO of the PDA Society in June.
Archer previously worked in strategy, policy and campaigning roles in organisations including Ambitious About Autism and Mencap. She also sits on the Autism Alliance board.
Interim CEO appointed at SafeLives
Domestic abuse charity SafeLives has appointed Tracey Bleakley as its interim chief executive after former leader Ellen Miller’s early retirement.
Bleakley previously held CEO roles at Hospice UK and Dying Matters. She also leads NHS Norfolk and Waveney’s integrated care board.
Maria Miller, SafeLives chair, welcomed Bleakley and thanked Jo Silver and Liz Thompson for serving as joint interim CEOs over the past few weeks.
She added: “Tracey brings exactly the kind of calm, values-led leadership SafeLives needs during a period of transition.”
Brunelcare hires interim chief
Brunelcare has appointed Sonia Furzland as its chief executive.
Furzland will take up the role in May after the departure of Oona Goldsworthy who has led the charity for six and a half years.
The incoming CEO has more than 30 years’ experience in the housing sector and most recently served as interim executive director of housing at Bristol City Council.
Director brought in at Forever Manchester
Greater Manchester’s community foundation has brought in Anne Marie Wynne as its director of philanthropy development and marketing.
Wynne has joined from Moya Cole Hospice, where she led fundraising and its capital campaign.
Nick Massey, Forever Manchester CEO, said: “Her passion for place-based giving, combined with her ability to connect supporters to long-term impact, makes her ideally placed to lead.”
Co-managing director hired at DKMS UK
Blood cancer charity DKMS UK has brought in a co-managing director.
Emma McCargow joins with Peter McCleave and she brings in more than 20 years’ experience across health research and life sciences.
McCargow, who lost both of her parents to cancer at a young age, said: “I’ve spent my career working to improve outcomes for patients, but I’ve never been this close to the outcome before.
“When a match is made, the impact is immediate, and that’s a big part of what drew me to DKMS.”
Oxfam appoints chief influencing officer
Oxfam has appointed Jean McLean as its chief influencing officer.
McLean joins from the Green Economy Coalition where she led international engagement on economic and environmental injustice.
She has previously held senior influencing roles at Save the Children, Global Citizen and ActionAid.
Joyce Idoniboye, acting Oxfam chief executive, said: “Jean brings a rare combination of strategic clarity, global experience and deep commitment to justice.”
Devon Community Foundation appoints chair
Devon Community Foundation has appointed Jake Moores as its chair.
Moores, who served for 37 years in the Royal Navy, has held a range of charity and community roles in Devon including as chair of Dart RNLI, Dartmouth Sea Cadets, Britannia Association trustee and Leaders Club co-chair.
He said: “I’m delighted to take on the role of chair.
“The dedication of local charities and community groups across Devon is truly inspiring, and I look forward to supporting their work.”
Mary Hancock, foundation chief executive, said the charity was delighted to welcome Moores and highlighted his achievements in community organisations nationwide.
Nicola Sturgeon becomes Safe Passage International chair
Refugee charity Safe Passage International has brought in former first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon as its chair.
The charity’s board of trustees said in a statement: “Nicola has a long track record of championing the rights of people fleeing war and persecution and implementing compassionate policies in Scotland.
“We’re looking forward to working with Nicola to support the work of the expert teams at Safe Passage.”
Chair named at LandWorks
Rehabilitation charity LandWorks has announced former Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston as its chair and hired another trustee.
Former GP Wollaston has served on the charity’s board since 2020, working on health, social justice and support for people in the criminal justice system.
She replaces Ted Tuppen who is standing down as his permitted term as chair is coming to an end.
Chris Parsons, charity director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sarah as our new chair.
“Her understanding of social justice, her extensive public service experience, and her dedication to LandWorks make her ideally placed to lead the board.”
The charity will also bring in Mark Yallop, an “experienced financial services leader”.
Former Make-A-Wish child joins charity board
Former Make-A-Wish child Sara Miller has been made the charity’s youngest-ever trustee.
Miller, who had her wish to cook with chef Gennaro Contaldo while recovering from lymphoma in 2019, has stayed close to the charity since then.
She has served on Make-A-Wish’s young people advisory board, its STARboard and as a youth advisor to the charity’s trustee.
Jason Suckley, Make-A-Wish UK’s CEO said: “Our aim as a charity is to not only be child-focused, but child-led, which is why we set up STARboard to enable young people with that lived experience of a wish to guide us […] Sara has formed a key part of that.”
Chair appointed at YMCA St Paul’s
A chair has been appointed at YMCA St Paul’s charity.
Ian Adams has held leadership roles in the NHS, central and local government, as well as the charity sector.
He previously served as a Westminster City councillor for 20 years and Adams’ appointment has been welcomed by the charity’s CEO Richard James.
James said: “His extensive experience and governance expertise will be invaluable.”
Channel 4 chief marketing officer made Artswork chair
The chief marketing officer at Channel 4 has been made chair of youth arts charity Artswork.
Katie Jackson joined Channel 4 in 2022 to lead its in-house agency 4creative before being promoted two years later.
Louise Govier, Artworks co-chief, welcomed Jackson’s appointment and thanked outgoing chair Norinne Betjemann for nine years of service.
Govier said: “Katie’s track record in creative leadership, strategic transformation and championing diverse voices makes her an exceptional fit for Artswork.”
Church Urban Fund welcomes co-presidents
The Church Urban Fund has welcomed the archbishop of Canterbury as its co-president.
Sarah Mullally, who will join the archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell as co-president, has been a long-time advocate of the fund’s work including backing its growing good movement and supporting poverty reduction efforts in the church.
Rob Wickham, the fund’s chief executive, said: “We are thrilled to announce archbishop Sarah’s co-presidency.
“Archbishop Sarah will join archbishop Stephen in this vital role, supporting our mission to tackle poverty in all its forms, and give a voice to those living in poverty.”
