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Who’s Moving: Medaille Trust, British Museum, Paul Hamlyn Foundation and more

02 Apr 2024 News

In this fortnightly column, Civil Society looks at people moving roles in the UK charity sector.

Dani Wardman is incoming CEO of the Medaille Trust

The Medaille Trust

Paul Hamlyn Foundation CEO steps down

Moira Sinclair, who has led the Paul Hamlyn Foundation for 10 years, has announced she will be stepping down next February. 

Sinclair joined the foundation in 2015 from Arts Council England where she was an executive director. She is chair of Clore Leadership, the London Mayor's Cultural Strategy Board and Factory International. 

“It has been an enormous privilege to lead Paul Hamlyn Foundation for the last ten years,” she said.

“This feels like the right time to pass on the baton, as PHF moves into its next chapter, which I know will be a hugely exciting one.”

The recruitment agency Green Park will be managing the recruitment process for the foundation’s next leader. 

Medaille Trust hires CEO

The anti-trafficking charity the Medaille Trust has appointed Dani Wardman as its next chief executive.

Joining in June, she replaces Garry Smith, who is leaving the role after six years to become director of mission at Salvation Army Trading Company. 

Wardman will join from Religious Life Safeguarding Service, where she has been CEO since 2021. Before that, she was CEO at sexual violence charity Survive for five years.

Jane Maltby, chair of the Medaille Trust, welcomed the appointment: “Dani comes to us from a strong background in working with victims of violence, abuse and degradation.

“Her starting point is the welfare and development of the whole person, and she will take forward the excellent work of the past few years. It is an exciting moment for us and we look forward to Dani joining.”

British Museum appoints director

Nicholas Cullinan has been appointed as the new director of the British Museum, a decision approved by the board and prime minister. 

It comes after Hartwig Fischer resigned as director following suspected thefts at the museum. Mark Jones has been acting as interim director in his stead. 

Cullinan has run the National Portrait Gallery since April 2015. Before that, he worked at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and Tate Modern in London as a curator.

George Osborne, chair of the British Museum, said: “The trustees chose Nicholas Cullinan as the new director of the British Museum because he brings proven leadership today and great potential for tomorrow. 

“He has shown his capacity as director of the National Portrait Gallery to oversee both a major physical renovation and a compelling renewal of purpose in a way that doesn’t take sides, but brings people together – and won universal acclaim.

“We believe he can achieve this, and more, on the bigger scale of the British Museum as we undertake a once-in-a-generation redevelopment.”

St George’s Hospital Charity recruits CEO 

Katy Vaughan has been appointed as the new CEO of St George’s Hospital Charity, following the departure of Amerjit Chohan after five years at the helm. 

Vaughan joins from St Giles Trust where she has been executive director of fundraising and communications since 2018. Before that, she spent eight years at the Anna Freud Centre where she held positions as communications and project manager and head of fundraising. 

“I am incredibly honoured to be entrusted with the role of CEO at St George's Hospital Charity. It is an extraordinary opportunity to lead this exceptional organisation towards transformative impact,” she said.

“I look forward to working collaboratively with the dedicated staff, volunteers, and stakeholders to enhance our fundraising efforts, strengthen our grant-making impact, and ultimately make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of patients and their families, hospital staff and the communities we serve.”

Christian Aid appoints bishop as chair

Christian Aid has appointed Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London, as its chair. 

In her early career, Mullally was a nurse at St Thomas’ Hospital and the Royal Marsden Hospital in London and held several leadership position roles before becoming chief nursing officer for England in the Department of Health.

Mullally succeeds John Sentamu, who was chair for 18 months before his resignation in June 2023 over concerns that he had failed to act over sexual abuse allegations had “become a distraction from the vital work of Christian Aid.” 

Actors’ Benevolent Fund appoints chair and vice chair following dispute

The Actors’ Benevolent Fund has appointed a chair and vice chair following its election of a trustee board last month after a longstanding dispute.

It has appointed author and broadcaster Loyd Grossman as chair. Grossman is also chair of the Royal Parks and Gresham College Council.

Meanwhile, the charity has appointed former actress Abi Eniola as vice chair. Known for her roles in Little Britain and the Bill, she is a communications coach at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. 

Alison Wyman, CEO Actors’ Benevolent Fund, said: “With Loyd and Abi now in post and the new board in place we are focused on forming new and innovative initiatives to help even more people when they face tough times and hardship.”

Homelessness charity recruits chair 

Youth homelessness charity Centrepoint has announced Tarek Khlat as its chair, succeeding Symon Elliot who held the post for seven years. 

Khlat has over twenty years of experience in financial services and co-founded Cross Bridge Capital in 2008. He is group CEO of the business. He is a trustee and patron of NSPCC. 

“I am deeply honoured and humbled to assume the role of chair at Centrepoint,” he said.

“I am inspired by Centrepoint’s mission to end youth homelessness in the UK by 2037, and together with our incredible team and invaluable partners, we will steadfastly persevere on this transformative journey.

“I look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to prevent youth homelessness, continuing to help and support those affected by it and campaigning for truly affordable housing options for young people so that every young person has a safe and stable place to call home.” 

At the same time, Centrepoint has added six trustees to its board. 

National Childbirth Trust chair steps down to become priest

National Childbirth Trust chair Stephanie Maurel will be stepping down this year after three years in post. 

Maurel is currently chief executive of the corporation Church House and nearing the end of her ministerial training, and is set to be ordained as a priest of the Church of England next summer. 

“It has been my pleasure and privilege to be part of NCT’s board for the last seven years, and to have had the opportunity to chair our incredible charity for the latter part of that has been my absolute honour,” she said.   

“My decision to step down as chair has not been an easy one to make, but the time is right for me to hand the baton over to someone new, to help lead us through the next phase of our For Every Parent strategy.”

The charity is now openly recruiting for its next chair. 

British Asian Trust appoints chief operating officer

The British Asian Trust has appointed Geetha Rabindrakumar as chief operating officer. She joins from the Reader UK, where she has been director of impact, partnerships and communities for a year. 

She has held several senior roles at the Reader, Cardboard Citizens, Big Society Capital and Scope. She has also worked for PwC, Cancer Research UK and Plan International. 

Chief executive Richard Hawkes said: “We are delighted to welcome Geetha to the team and at a critical period of growth and change at the trust.

“Geetha’s proactive outlook and entrepreneurial drive will be instrumental in supporting the trust’s strategy and leading our teams to new heights, both in the UK and in south Asia.”

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