National Deaf Children’s Society appoints CEO
The National Deaf Children’s Society has announced George Crockford as its new chief executive.
Crockford will step into the role in mid-September and replace Susan Daniels, who has been in the post for 33 years.
He currently serves as the chief operating officer at Teenage Cancer Trust.
Crockford said: “While I am sad to leave Teenage Cancer Trust, I’m very much looking forward to taking on this new challenge, which means so much to me personally as well as professionally.
“My commitment to the organisation’s mission is unwavering, and I am dedicated to making a positive, long-lasting impact on the lives of deaf children and their families.”
New CEO at Royal Society of Medicine
The Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) has appointed Rachel Lambert-Forsyth as its new chief executive.
Lambert-Forsyth previously served as the chief executive of the British Pharmacological Society, where she led the organisation through the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said: “I’m thrilled to be joining at a time of opportunity, where I can build on these strong foundations to strengthen engagement and help expand access to the RSM.
“I look forward to working with the president, council and staff team to ensure the RSM continues to grow as a vibrant home for learning and connection, where everyone in healthcare feels welcome, supported and empowered to make a meaningful impact.”
Carbon Technology Research Foundation appoints CEO
The Carbon Technology Research Foundation (CTRF) has announced Maria-Krystyna Duval as its new chief executive.
As CTRF’s new boss, Duval will focus on building partnerships with academic institutions, donors and public and philanthropic bodies to accelerate its mission to tackle climate change via carbon sequestration and other technologies.
She said: “The pace of scientific discovery that CTRF is helping to drive is inspiring, but unless we also think early about regulation, funding, incentives and public trust, we risk a delay to implementation and speed of impact.
“That’s why I’m bringing my background in law, economic policy development and impact-led leadership to help CTRF not only back brilliant science, but also shape the conditions that will allow it to thrive.”
Home-Start UK appoints first co-CEOs
Leading family support charity Home-Start UK has appointed its first co-chief executives in the organisation’s 50-year history.
Natalie Acton and Jodie Reed will take up the role of co-chief executives in September.
Acton has worked in both central and local government, with roles in the No.10 policy unit and the Department for Education.
Reed, meanwhile, previously led the public services team at the Institute for Public Policy Research before spending a decade in central government working on early years and schools’ strategy and service reform.
British Science Association announces president
The British Science Association (BSA) has welcomed crossbench peer Julia Elizabeth King, Baroness Brown of Cambridge, as its president for 2025/26.
Baroness Brown has extensive experience in the areas of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education, innovation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation, including 12 years as vice-chair of the independent public body, the Climate Change Committee, where she is now chair of its adaptation committee.
She said: “It is a huge honour to serve as BSA president, especially at this time when science and technology have become so fundamental to our lives.
“The UK is a leader in scientific research, and we need to find better and faster ways to benefit from this by translating discovery into large-scale solutions for problems like climate change.”
Causeway appoints chair
Modern slavery and crime reduction charity Causeway has appointed Fiona Dwyer as its new chair of trustees, and Claire Judge as its new head of communications and engagement.
Dwyer said: “The organisation’s mission resonates deeply with me, and I’m excited to work alongside such a committed team to help amplify the voices of those too often unheard and support lasting, meaningful change.”
Judge said: “I’m looking forward to working alongside a passionate and committed team, amplifying the voices of those we support, and helping to build lasting partnerships that drive real change.”
Cancer Care and Haematology Fund recruits chair
The Cancer Care and Haematology Fund has appointed Nicola Gilham as its new chair, succeeding Ann Watson, who is retiring after 28 years with the charity.
Gilham said: “I am looking forward to working with the Trustees to ensure that we can continue to deliver the extra support and comfort to patients diagnosed with cancer and haematology-related illnesses.”
Watson said: “I am very pleased that the charity is going to be in such excellent hands and look forward to following all the wonderful projects planned for the future.”
Migrant Help appoints chair
Migrant Help has announced Hugh Bayley as the new chair of its board.
Bayley served as MP for York for 23 years and was a minister in Tony Blair’s first government.
His post-parliamentary roles have included commissioner of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact and trustee of the International Rescue Committee.
He said: “Migration has been part of Britain’s history for centuries and is part of my own family’s story.
“Our clients, refugees, people seeking asylum and survivors of slavery, are people, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect while their cases are processed.”
Birmingham Museums Trust chair steps down
Birmingham Museums Trust chair Niels De Vos is stepping down from the role after over five years of service, with the trust now seeking a successor.
Zak Mensah and Sara Wajid, co-chief executives of Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank Niels for his leadership over the last five years and the lasting legacy he leaves.
Of the search for a new chair, they added: “With a renewed focus on community engagement, sustainability and digital innovation, this is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of one of the UK’s most important cultural institutions in a radical transformation to become a symbol of hope, social trust and belonging.”
More information about the new chair recruitment process can be found online.
Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice hires trustee
Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice has welcomed new trustee Lorna Fraser.
Fraser is a professor of palliative care and child health at King’s College London. Her background is in clinical pediatrics, and her research focuses on children and young people.
Fraser said: “I look forward to working closely with statutory services within the Ark’s catchment areas to ensure that every baby, child and young person, with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition and their family have equitable and timely access to high-quality palliative care where and when they need it.”
Medical Research Foundation appoints trustee
The Medical Research Foundation has appointed Mary Fagan as a trustee to its board for an initial term of three years.
Fagan is a marketing and communications consultant with over 14 years’ experience in high-profile communications and public affairs roles.
She was formerly a trustee and vice chair of the Army Benevolent Fund, and chaired the charity’s fundraising, marketing and communications committee.
Honeypot Children's Charity recruits trustees
The Honeypot Children's Charity has appointed Alex Kenny, Richard Houseago and Hannah Constantine as its new trustees.
Kenny said: “I know that fundraising is becoming ever more challenging in this sector, and I am looking forward to supporting the leadership team to think of new ways to spread the word about what this charity does.”
Houseago said: “I am really excited to have the opportunity of this new relationship with the Honeypot Children’s Charity and with all the great people who make it so impactful.”
Constantine said: “I had the fondest memories of volunteering at the charity, so I was over the moon when they advertised for a trustee.
“I'm just starting to get to know Honeypot from this different perspective, and the dedication of the team has made a real impression on me.”
Access Sport appoints chair and trustees
Access Sport has appointed Rachel Baillache as its new chair.
Baillache takes over from Martin McPhee, who has stepped down from the board after nine years, including five years as chair.
The charity also appointed Daniel Pell, general manager at Workday, and Nevin Truesdale, former chief executive of the Jockey Club, as its new trustees.
Pell said: “I’m excited to be joining Access Sport’s board of trustees, and I look forward to supporting all of the amazing work being done by the wider team.”
Truesdale said: “I believe Access Sport's ‘Stand For Inclusion’ strategy helps achieve real, tangible change in communities nationwide, so I am really looking forward to offering my skills, where appropriate, to assist the board and executive team in driving the charity forward.”
Ben changes senior leadership team
Ben – Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund, an organisation that supports people involved in the automotive industry and their families, has announced changes to its senior leadership team as part of a new strategic direction.
Martin Smith has been appointed as director of finance, governance and impact, and Matt Wigginton, part of Ben’s former executive team, is now the director of growth and development.
Ellen Plumer has moved into the newly created role of head of awareness and experience, while Sarah D’Addio has been appointed as head of HR.
The appointments form a new senior leadership team supporting chief executive Rachel Clift.
Clift said: “With our new senior leadership team in place, we are now very well-positioned to grow our impact and support even more people in our automotive family.”
Muscular Dystrophy UK appoints director of policy and campaigns
Muscular Dystrophy UK has appointed Vicki Nash as its new director of policy and campaigns.
Nash spent over 15 years at Mind, where she was responsible for developing and implementing the external relations strategy, overseeing the delivery of high-profile campaigns and events and building strong relationships with key stakeholders, including media, parliamentarians, funders, and partners.
She said: “I’m looking forward to utilising my experience and working together with the muscle wasting and weakening community.
“Campaigning to improve access to treatments and raise the profile of Muscular Dystrophy UK and the important work that the charity does, with key parliamentarians and stakeholders, across the four nations.”
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