Mermaids appoints CEO
Mermaids, the UK charity supporting transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse children, young people and their families, has appointed Johanna Hardy as its next chief executive.
Replacing Lauren Stoner, Hardy will be taking up the role in November, following leadership roles at charities including Young Minds, Gingerbread, Contact and Mencap.
She said: “This role brings together my extensive charity sector expertise with my personal passion and lived experience in campaigning for trans rights as a parent ally.
“Mermaids is a remarkable charity whose work is needed now more than ever, and I am deeply humbled by the resilience and dedication of everyone involved. I can’t wait to play my part in moving this vital work forward.”
Age UK London welcomes CEO
Age UK London has appointed Elizabeth Drury as its CEO.
Drury joins Age UK London from the Third Age Trust, where she served as head of policy and communications for nearly a decade.
She said: “I am thrilled to have been welcomed into the Age UK London family.
“I look forward to working with the team and trustees as we lead the charity through the next phase of its development, strengthening its finances and creating a new strategy to guide our work to make London a better city for older people.”
Neuroendocrine Cancer hires CEO
Lisa Walker has been announced as the new CEO of Neuroendocrine Cancer.
Walker previously co-founded and led an organisation supporting people with Crohn’s disease.
She said: “I’m incredibly proud and excited to be leading Neuroendocrine Cancer UK at such a pivotal time.”
British Taekwondo announces CEO
British Taekwondo has announced the appointment of David Marshall as its new CEO.
Marshall brings with him more than 25 years of leadership experience across the sport and leisure sector.
He said: “I want to thank outgoing CEO Ian Leafe for his leadership, which gained national and international recognition for the organisation and shaped a strategy for growth and unity.
“I’m committed to listening to the Taekwondo community and working together to create positive environments and experiences for all.”
King’s College Hospital Charity appoints CEO
King’s College Hospital Charity has announced that Alan Bolchover will be its new CEO.
Bolchover will join the charity in November from the Outbound Trust, where he has been director since 2010.
He said: “King’s College Hospital Charity has made great strides in the last few years and I cannot wait to join the team as we continue funding innovative research, capital projects and patient wellbeing - while also supporting the staff who work across the King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust hospital estate.”
Global CEO of Women for Women International announced
Women for Women International has announced the appointment of Thelma Ekiyor as its new global CEO.
Eikyor brings 25 years of professional experience in international development to the role.
She said: “I am passionate about investing in women and creating opportunities that drive investment in social good.
“Women for Women International’s mission supporting women survivors of war and women-led enterprises is very close to my heart and I am excited to be part of a team that is working to ensure every woman realises her power and reaches her full potential.”
SMK welcomes new chair and treasurer
The Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) has announced the appointment of its new chair Nicole Itano and a new treasurer David Wade.
Katie Roberts, interim CEO of the foundation, said: “We’re thrilled to have Nicole and David joining us.
“Both bring a strong personal commitment to social change and a wealth of experience to strengthen the work and vision of SMK.”
Cherie Blair Foundation for Women announces leadership change
The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women has announced a change in its leadership as CEO Dhivya O’Connor departs.
Kate Mulhearn, current director of finance and operations, will become executive director of the foundation.
Mulhearn said: “It is a huge privilege to take on this role and lead the foundation into its next phase of work, standing alongside women entrepreneurs around the world as they strive to succeed in business despite the barriers they face every day.
“I am excited to build on the foundation’s impactful achievements and to work with our outstanding team to design programmes that meet the rapidly evolving challenges of the 21st century.”
League Against Cruel Sports announces chair
National animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports has announced the appointment of its new chair of the trustees.
David Fielding brings experience in both business and charity governance, plus a love of conservation, animal welfare, nature and wetlands.
Fielding said: “Caring for the environment and its wildlife has long been a passion of mine, and I am excited to match that passion with the knowledge I have of the not-for-profit sector as the league’s new chair.
“The organisation is made up of hugely talented people whose work has seen tangible changes made to protect animals up and down the UK, and I can’t wait to get started on helping the league in its next chapter.”
The previous chair, MP Dan Norris, stepped down earlier this year after being arrested.
Birmingham Museums Trust appoints chair
Stephen Hughes has been appointed as the new chair of the board of trustees at Birmingham Museums Trust.
Hughes was CEO of Birmingham City Council for nearly 10 years and has held a number of senior non-executive roles since leaving the city council in 2014.
He said: “It’s a privilege to join Birmingham Museums Trust at such a pivotal moment. The trust’s collections and stories have the power to bring people together, spark dialogue and foster cohesion across our diverse communities.
“I look forward to working with the team to build on this momentum and ensure Birmingham’s museums remain places of relevance, reflection and joy.”
Stroke Association announces chair
The Stroke Association has appointed Jason Parker as its next chair of trustees, while current CEO Stephen King will step down in January 2026.
Parker had a stroke six years ago at the age of 45. He was paralysed and wheelchair bound, however, he has now made a good recovery.
He said: “It is a huge privilege to take on this role – a job that I would never have dreamed of doing before my major stroke.
“Having experienced firsthand the devastation that stroke brings to physical and mental health for both the individual and their support network, I have been determined to do all I can to spread awareness and support anyone equally impacted, irrespective of background or postcode.”
Royal Life Saving Society UK announces president
The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), the national water safety charity, has announced Bryan Finlay as its new president.
Peter Moyles will join as deputy president and Stephen Gould will join the charity as a new trustee.
Finlay said: “I’m brimming with ideas on how to continue building awareness of our charity. I am excited to start this new chapter and contribute to RLSS UK’s driving mission as water safety experts.”
New chair appointed at Activity Alliance
Activity Alliance has announced the appointment of Adam Parker as its new chair.
Parker brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in the sport and physical activity sector, having driven transformation across national and international sporting organisations.
He said: “It’s a huge honour for me to join Activity Alliance as chair. I believe strongly that the work of the organisation has never been more important and necessary than it is today, as disabled people in this country continue to face significant barriers to accessing and enjoying all the benefits of sport and physical activity.”
Three trustees join Activity Alliance
Activity Alliance has announced that three new trustees have joined the charity – Jane Duncan, Rory O’Keeffe and Lindsay Games.
Duncan is a qualified chartered accountant, O’Keefe is the founder of RMOK Legal and Games worked at Sports England for 13 years.
Duncan said: “I am really excited to become a trustee at Activity Alliance and continue my volunteering journey.
“It is an organisation that aligns with my values, having accessibility and activity at its heart as well as promoting the wellbeing benefits of being active.”
Joseph Rowntree appoints five trustees
Five new trustees have joined the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), who include Jabeer Butt, Nassali Douglas, Matthew Horne, Amir Rizwan and Jeremy Towsend.
They will gradually replace a number of existing trustees as their terms end over the course of 2026.
Carol Tannahill, chair of trustees, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome the team of new trustees to help steer this new chapter in JRF’s journey.
“They will bring a fantastically broad range of experience that we know will allow us to move forward boldly with our ambitious strategies across both organisations.”
National Youth Agency welcomes new trustees
Four new trustees have joined the National Youth Agency as the charity moves forward with its five-year strategy.
The new trustees are Laura Bates, Nick Caplin, Nick Frost and Owen Purcell.
Bates said: “I am thrilled to join the National Youth Agency as a trustee at such a pivotal time.
“Empowering young people and ensuring they have the support and opportunities they need to thrive has never been more critical.
“I look forward to working alongside a dedicated team to champion youth work across the UK and be part of making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people.”
Football Foundation welcomes board member
The Premier League, the FA and government’s Football Foundation has appointed Simon Hayes to its board, representing Sport England as one of its funding partners.
Hayes has been CEO of Sport England since September 2025. He was previously CEO of HM Land Registry and Chief Land Registrar.
He said: “As both a fan and player, I’ve seen first-hand the power of grassroots sport and its role in creating healthier, happier and more connected communities.
“Sport England’s partnership with the Premier League, the FA and government through the Football Foundation has achieved so much in the last 25 years and I am delighted to continue to support and promote that work as part of the Football Foundation board.”
Big Hearts appoints five trustees
The charity of Heart of Midlothian football club has welcomed five new trustees to its board.
These include Stephan Briggs, Chris Bruce, David Gray, Amy Paterson and Adrian White.
Briggs said: “Having been a Hearts supporter for as long as I can remember, I was delighted to help Big Hearts build their first website over a decade ago.
“I’ve long admired the charity’s ability to turn constraints and challenges into opportunity and impact within the community.
“Now, as a trustee I’m looking to bring an entrepreneurial mindset to the Big Hearts Board to deliver even more value to the communities whom they serve.”
Kaleidoscope Plus Group announces six trustees
The Kaleidoscope Plus Group (KPG), a charity championing mental health and wellbeing, has announced the appointment of six trustees to its board.
The new trustees are Carl Baker, Chris Dowen, James Gutteridge, Kiranjit Janagal, Laura Hadley and Wayne Golessa.
David Rogers, chair of the board, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to further strengthen our incredible board with individuals who all displayed a commitment to KPG’s ethos, aims and objectives along with the natural ability to operate at a strategic level.
“Their skill sets will particularly support our 50-year organisation with our governance & risk, estate & property maintenance and, of course, clinical operations.”
