CEO of the Roundhouse steps down
Marcus Davey, chief executive of the Roundhouse for almost three decades, has stepped down and is set to be replaced next year by Jenny Mollica.
Davey has led the Roundhouse for 27 years and will continue in his role until 2026 to facilitate the handover with Mollica.
Mollica, chief executive of the English National Opera (ENO) and the London Coliseum, joined the ENO in 2020 and previously spent a decade at the Barbican and Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
The incoming CEO of the Roundhouse said: “I look forward to […] building on the extraordinary legacy of Marcus Davey, whose visionary leadership has been nothing short of inspirational.”
Multibank charity appoints interim chief executive
Bob Garmory will join poverty reduction charity Multibank in December this year having been a trustee and prior chair of Fife’s chamber of commerce and Dunfermline Athletic Football Club.
Multibank was previously led by Katharine Sacks-Jones, in the role for around four months, having been chief executive of children and young people’s charity Become for six years.
Garmory will serve for a minimum 12-month period having been a founding figure when Multibank was established in 2022.
Multibank thanked the departing Sacks-Jones in a statement: “Her contribution has strengthened the charity’s foundation for growth and collaboration. We are sorry to see her go and wish her every success.”
British Library board member becomes interim CEO
Jeremy Silver is replacing Rebecca Lawrence as British Library chief executive.
Silver will become interim CEO having been a British Library board member since 2019.
The former chief executive of tech non-profit Digital Catapult, who led the company from 2016 to 2024, served his second British Library term in 2023.
Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care hires CEO
Tom O’Connor has been hired as CEO of Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care, a charity which provides bereavement support and palliative care in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.
O’Connor has joined from homelessness charity Providence Row where he was chief executive – he also served as chair of trustees at disability charity Shaftesbury UK.
Joining last Monday, O’Connor said: “I look forward to working with colleagues, volunteers and supporters to build on the incredible foundations […] as we move into the next three-year strategic period.”
Chief executive of RTS to retire
Royal Television Society CEO of 13 years Theresa Wise has announced her retirement after 13 years at the helm.
The educational charity, which promotes the art of science and television, has started the process of appointing a new chief executive with Wise set to step down next year.
Wise said: “You have all made this journey such a joy […] I’m excited to see it [RTS] move into the next chapter of its remarkable journey under new leadership.”
Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity appoints CEO
Samantha Nicolson has been appointed chief executive of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.
She had been serving as interim CEO for the charity which supports sailors, marines and their families for life.
Nicolson, who has been with the charity for 17 years, said she was delighted to be stepping into the role on a permanent basis.
She said: “I am so pleased that the Board has appointed me into the CEO role […] We will continue to work tirelessly for those that need us most.”
Changing Faces announces chair
Kate Pryke has been announced as the chair of Changing Faces.
The charity, which supports anyone with a visible scar, mark or condition to their face or body, is replacing interim chair Susan Harrison.
Pryke, whose husband sustained partial facial paralysis after an acute episode of Bell’s Palsy, said she was “delighted” to be stepping into the role.
“As a family, we know from personal experience the impact of having a visible difference. Changing Faces is a remarkable charity,” she said.
Canine Partners appoints chair and vice chair
Disability charity Canine Partners has appointed Richard Brooke as chair of the trustee board on the year of its 35th birthday.
The UK charity, which pairs disabled people with specially trained assistance dogs, also hired Nick Sydenham as vice chair and four trustees: Rachel Hucknall, Jessica Rendle, Vicki Cloney, and Tom Shore.
Brooke has been a Canine Partners trustee since 2023 having worked as a property developer.
He said: “I am honoured to take on the role of chair and to work with such a talented board. Together, we will build on 35 years of incredible achievement.”
Right of Women hires new chair
Jayne Butler has been appointed chair of the board of trustees at Rights of Women.
The charity, established to provide legal advice to women experiencing violence, celebrated its 50th anniversary this year and welcomes Butler to the role.
Butler said: “I am honoured to take on the role of chair at Rights of Women, an organisation whose values and commitment to justice have shaped the landscape of women’s rights in the UK.”
Mencap set to appoint chair of trustees
Mencap is set to appoint Lynne Peacock as its chair of trustees in January 2026.
The learning disability charity announced that former CEO of Woolwich plc Peacock will join next year.
Peacock has also served nearly ten years as chair of Learning Disability Network London and will be taking over from Carolyn Fairbairn, who announced her departure in July.
The incoming chair said: “I am delighted to be joining the Mencap team and look forward to supporting their important work.”
Mind makes leadership team changes
Mental health charity Mind has made two appointments to its senior leadership team.
Phil Walsh, who joined the charity in 2019, has been appointed executive director of finance and corporate services at Mind.
Jemima Olchawski, formerly chief executive of the Fawcett Society, has joined Mind permanently as executive director of social impact.
Mind has now begun open recruitment for an executive director of income generation.
Meanwhile, Sue O’Leary, who joined mental health charity Mind in 2016, has decided to leave after nine years.
O’Leary joined Mind as head of operations in Wales before becoming Mind Cymru director in 2021.
She went on to serve as executive director of Mind Cymru and Social Impact in 2023.
Union Chapel Project appoints managing director
Kathryn Dixon has been appointed interim managing director of the Union Chapel Project as it plans a permanent appointment for 2026.
The Union Chapel Project (UCP), a heritage a civic charity founded in 1991, was established to protect the Grade I and II listed buildings in Islington.
Dixon has been a trustee of the UCP since 2015 and has 20 years of experience, including managing roles, in business.
She said: “I look forward to working with our amazing team as we embark upon a new chapter in the life of this iconic, special and vital place.”
New CFO to join Nuffield Health end of year
Nuffield Health has announced that Matt Lynn will be stepping down as its chief financial officer to be replaced by Paul Baker at the end of the year.
Baker has more than 25 years of financial leadership in international consumer, logistics and service sectors – he was most recently CFO at Smiths News.
Lynn joined Nuffield Health in 2022 and is departing to take up a new role.
Alex Perry, Nuffield Health CEO, said: “Matt has made an outstanding contribution to Nuffield Health over the past three years.
“I’m delighted to welcome Paul Baker to Nuffield Health. His breadth of experience and capabilities will be invaluable.”
Humane World appoints UK executive director
Animal protection organisation Humane World for Animals UK has appointed David Elliot as its executive director.
Elliot has served as CEO of environmental organisations including Trees for Cities. He also led nature-based businesses Future Forest Company and One Tribe Global.
He succeeds Nick Jones who has held the position of executive director since November 2022.
Elliot said: “I am delighted to be joining the organisation and its brilliant team at a pivotal point, to help deliver the next chapter of change for our farmed, domestic and wild animal companions.”
Former NHS England director joins Stroke Association
Stephen Powis, knighted for services to the NHS during the Covid pandemic, has joined the Stroke Association as its first formal clinical ambassador.
The former national medical director of NHS England will be tasked with advocating for the thousands of people in the UK affected by stroke yearly.
Powis stepped down from his NHS position in July 2025 and will now work closely with Stroke Association chief executive Juliet Bouverie and medical director Deb Lowe, who joined last year.
Bouverie said: “We warmly welcome Steve Powis as he joins the Stroke Association in this unique voluntary capacity.”
SUDEP Action hires trustee
Rhys Thomas has joined the board of epilepsy charity SUDEP Action as a trustee.
Thomas is an honorary consultant in epilepsy at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, and a consultant in the NHS Highly Specialised Service for rare mitochondrial disorders.
He joins SUDEP, which supports people whose loved ones have died from an epilepsy-related death, with “first-hand” experience of seeing the charity’s work.
Four trustees join Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance have hired four trustees.
Richard Cockbain, Alastair Gibson, David Goodacre and Melissa Hope have joined Scotland’s only charity-funded air ambulance service which has bases in Perth and Aberdeen.
Robbie Brown, SCAA chair, said the appointees bring a “wide range of experience and knowledge”.
Actress becomes women’s ambassador at Brooke
Annette Badland, who has featured in Ted Lasso, has been appointed women’s ambassador at animal charity Brooke.
Badland’s role will be to highlight gender equality issues in communities where women are leaders and carers for working horses and donkeys.
She said: “I hope being involved in such a vital cause and shining light on these stories will help others to support women-led initiatives and policy around the world.”
