UK Youth appoints CEO and chair
UK Youth has appointed Rosie Ferguson as its new chief executive officer, effective from 26 August 2025.
Ferguson previously served as CEO of London Youth, Gingerbread, and the House of St Barnabas. She is also the former chair of ACEVO and a former trustee of UK Youth.
Ferguson said: “I am excited to return to the youth sector and bring my energy and experience to champion young people and the opportunities they deserve.
“I look forward to working with young ambassadors, trustees, staff, partners, supporters and the whole UK Youth network.”
Alongside a new CEO, UK Youth has also appointed a new chair.
David Thomlinson will be stepping down as chair after five years. Matt Price, current vice chair and trustee since 2016, will succeed Thomlinson.
Cranfield Trust hires next chief executive
Cranfield Trust, the UK’s leading provider of pro bono management support and mentoring to the voluntary sector, has appointed Dan Francis as its new chief executive.
The appointment follows the announcement in February 2025 that Amanda Tincknell, the current CEO, planned to retire this year.
Francis will begin the new role at Cranfield Trust in September 2025, joining from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) where he has been principal consultant, with responsibility for the organisation’s training and consultancy practice.
Pancreatic Cancer Action appoints CEO
Pancreatic Cancer Action, one of the UK’s leading pancreatic cancer charities, has appointed Anthony Cummings as its new chief executive.
Former executive director of St Mark’s Hospital Foundation, Cummings takes up his new position today, 7 July.
Cummings was also formerly director of income and communications at the Honeypot Children’s Charity.
New CEO for Plantlife International
Jane Madgwick has been appointed as the new CEO of the global plants and fungi conservation charity, Plantlife.
Madgwick’s significant experience in international conservation includes leading Wetlands International and the Global Commons Alliance, as well as regional director roles for WWF in Europe and Australia.
Commenting on her appointment as the new CEO of Plantlife, Madgwick said: "I am honoured and excited to start leading Plantlife at this pivotal moment for our natural world.”
Royal College of Occupational Therapists appoints CEO
The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has announced its new chief executive as Gary Waltham.
Waltham will join RCOT from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health and will formally take up the post in January 2026.
With more than two decades’ experience in the professional health sector, including strengthening member-focused organisations, Waltham brings extensive experience.
Waltham said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted to have been appointed the chief executive of RCOT and to play my part, so members have the tools, resources and professional community they need to deliver life-changing interventions.”
RSA announces next CEO
The Royal Society of Arts (RSA) has announced the appointment of David Joseph as its new CEO.
Joseph will formally take up the post in September, succeeding Andy Haldane.
Joseph led Universal Music UK, the leading music company, as chairman and CEO for 17 years and was a founding board member of Julie’s Bicycle, helping to lead the cultural sector’s response to the climate crisis, and served on the National Council of Arts Council England for eight years.
Joseph said: “The RSA has a remarkable heritage and untapped potential.
“At a time when fresh thinking and collective action are urgently needed across the globe, the RSA is uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change - uniting its rich tradition of arts, creativity and policy influence with the energy of its global Fellowship to spark ideas that shape society.”
New CEO for the Rank Foundation
Leadership and entrepreneurship charity, the Rank Foundation, has announced the appointment of Caroline Broadhurst as its new chief executive officer, following David Sanderson’s departure.
Broadhurst stepped into the role on 5 June 2025, having been with the Foundation since 2006 and served as deputy CEO since 2014.
Reflecting on the appointment, Broadhurst said: “It’s a privilege to have worked alongside David Sanderson and our inspiring network for so many years and now I’m proud to lead The Rank Foundation into its next chapter.
“Our mission remains rooted in people and place - investing in communities and the leaders within them. I will build on this legacy by listening to the Rank network and working collaboratively to strengthen communities across the UK.”
New chair for Country Food Trust
Anti-food poverty charity, Country Food Trust, has appointed Brandon Lewis as chair.
Lewis, the former justice secretary and Northern Ireland secretary, will replace Charles Walker, who will step down after three years.
Lewis stepped down as an MP in 2024 after representing Great Yarmouth for 14 years, having held other ministerial roles including as chairman of the Conservative Party.
Lewis said: “I am deeply honoured to take on the role of Chair of the Country Food Trust. This organisation has made significant strides in addressing food poverty and promoting ecological balance through its innovative initiatives like the deer management scheme.”
Variety welcomes chair
Children’s charity Variety has welcomed Andrew Carnie, CEO of Soho House, as its new chair-elect.
Carnie will assume the role of chairman on 1st January 2026, succeeding Professor Jonathan Shali, who will step down at the end of his term on 31st December 2025, alongside co-chair Tushar Prabhu.
Carnie brings extensive experience in leading globally renowned brands which supports Variety's aim to expand its reach and impact in supporting disabled and disadvantaged children in the U.K.
Three new directors for Sustrans leadership team
Walking, wheeling and cycling charity Sustrans has appointed three new directors to its senior leadership team.
The charity, which launched its new strategic direction in April 2025, has welcomed Louisa Dale as England director, Fiona MacLeod as director for Scotland, Cymru & Northern Ireland, and Nicola Spencer as resources executive director.
Xavier Brice, CEO at Sustrans, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Louisa, Fiona, and Nicola to the leadership team.
“Their combined experience and values-driven leadership will be critical as we work towards our mission to make it easier for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle.”
New chief people officer at StepChange
StepChange Debt Charity has appointed Sue Murdoch as its new chief people officer.
Most recently, Murdoch served as chief people officer at two start-up banks, leading the build and regulatory approval of the people agenda.
Murdoch said: “I’m proud to be joining StepChange at such a critical point in its journey. The charity plays a vital role in supporting people in financial difficulty, and I’m excited to help shape the culture and environment that enables our colleagues to deliver real and lasting impact.
“I look forward to working with teams across the charity to help build a confident, inclusive, and future-focused organisation.”
New trustees for James’ Place
Suicide prevention charity James’ Place has recruited two new trustees to its board following an open recruitment process.
The charity has been joined by Dr Nick Broughton, a consultant psychiatrist by background and currently chief executive of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & Berkshire West ICB.
It has also appointed Joana Libano Monteiro, a director at Google who has personal lived experience of suicide bereavement.
Public Law Project welcomes five new trustees
Legal and social justice charity Public Law Project has appointed five trustees to its board.
Drawn from legal, academic, and non-governmental fields, these senior leaders are Flora Alexander, Melanie Carter, Khatija Hafesji, Joe Tomlinson, and James Whiting.
Alexander is the executive director of the International Rescue Committee; Carter is a senior public lawyer; Hafesji is a barrister at Monckton Chambers; Tomlinson is a professor of public law at the University of York, and Whiting is CEO of Doughty Street Chambers.
ACF appoints five trustees
The Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) has announced that five new trustees will join the board.
Hannan Ali, funding manager at City Bridge Foundation; Rahima Aziz, trustee at Aziz Foundation; Louise Winterburn, deputy chief executive at World Habitat; Joe Saxton, chair at the Association of Chairs, and Anand Shukla, chief executive officer at Henry Smith Foundation, have all joined.
Karen Everett, who was recently appointed as trustee and vice chair, was formally appointed as chair of the board of trustees.
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