New CEO for former PM’s charity
Numeracy charity the Richmond Project, founded by former prime minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty, has announced Lizzie Gaisman as its chief executive and Bodil Isaksen as chief programmes officer.
Before joining the Richmond Project, Gaisman worked in consumer banking at JPMorganChase and she is a graduate of Harvard Business School and Oxford University.
She said: “I have long believed that more comfort and confidence with using numbers can unlock huge opportunities for people, whatever their daily lives look like.
“I was drawn to the Richmond Project because, thanks to Rishi and Akshata's inspiring vision, it offers a once-in-a-generation chance to put that belief into practice.”
Islamic Relief appoints interim CEO
Islamic Relief Worldwide has announced the appointment of Nadeem Malik as interim CEO.
Malik is currently managing director of the Humanitarian Academy for Development (HAD), a role which he will continue when he becomes temporary leader of Islamic Relief in October.
Islamic Relief’s board is in the process of finalising its search for a new permanent CEO to replace Waseem Ahmad
Malik said: “I look forward to working with my fellow directors and all Islamic Relief staff to continue serving our rightsholders with excellence.
“With my colleagues I aim to oversee an orderly transition of the organisation into the capable hands of the new CEO.”
Co-leadership model at Charity Finance Group (CFG)
Charity Finance Group (CFG) has announced Clare Mills and Sarah Lomax as its two co-CEOs.
Mills joined CFG in January 2022 to lead its policy and communications work, while Lomax has steered the commercial services directorate since August 2020.
Caron Bradshaw, who has led the organisation since 2010, will step into a new, part-time role for the organisation to support innovation and development.
Mills said: “I’m honoured to step into this role alongside Sarah. This new co-leadership model reflects CFG’s values of support, dynamism and inclusion. It demonstrates that we are not afraid to evolve our approach and we’re grateful to the board for putting their faith in us.
Lomax added: “This is an exciting time for Clare and I. We’ve worked closely together and with Caron and the board, to develop our respective roles, to ensure leadership continuity across the organisation.”
Independent Age hires director of services
Marios Leptos has been appointed as director of services at national older people’s financial hardship charity Independent Age.
He most recently held the role of director of services delivery at Citizens Advice and joined Independent Age on 8 September.
Leptos said: “I’m looking forward to working with colleagues across the charity, and with older people themselves, to ensure our services are empowering, effective and truly person-centred. It’s a real privilege to be joining at such a pivotal time.”
Dogs Trust appoints chief income generation officer
Dogs Trust has announced the appointment of Polly Bianchi as its chief income generation officer.
Bianchi has worked recently at charities including WWF, FareShare UK and Battersea.
She said: “As an animal lover, I’m thrilled to be joining Dogs Trust, especially at such an exciting time for the organisation.
“It’s a charity I have admired for many years, and my time at Battersea gave me first-hand experience of how I could have such an impact on a dog's life and welfare.”
BHF’s commercial director retires after 13 years
Mike Taylor, British Heart Foundation (BHF) commercial director, will be retiring at the end of 2025 after 13 years.
Since being at the charity he has helped grow the network of shops, built its eBay store and helped it through a pandemic.
Taylor said: “I initially became involved in BHF volunteering because of the impact heart disease had on both my parents.
“It has undoubtedly been the highlight of my career to serve an organisation so deeply committed to saving and improving lives.”
He will be succeeded by BHF retail director Allison Swaine-Hughes.
Chest Heart Stroke Scotland welcomes strategic political adviser
Former SNP MP Amy Callaghan has joined Chest Heart Stroke Scotland as its strategic political adviser, in her first public facing role since stepping down from frontline politics.
Drawing on her own stroke recovery journey, Callaghan is now pushing to reform rehabilitation and treatment services.
She said: “You don’t become a politician unless you want to change the world - and that hasn’t changed for me. I’m just working from a different perspective now.
“At CHSS, I finally have the space to make real change happen - to push the reforms I couldn’t deliver from within parliament but that people living with these conditions so urgently need.”
Head of partnership appointed to Hub Cymru Africa
Cardiff-based international development charity Hub Cymru Africa has appointed Julian Rosser as its head of partnership.
Rosser has been promoted after leading Hub Cymru Africa's team of development support managers to support Wales-Africa links and other Welsh groups.
He said: “I am impressed and inspired daily by the brilliant and diverse people and organisations that make up the sector in Wales.
“I’m excited to guide the partnership and the team into Hub Cymru Africa’s second decade and hope to make that even more successful than the first.”
London’s Union Chapel appoints chair and trustees
London’s Union Chapel has announced the appointment of Ken Beech as the chair of trustees of the Union Chapel Project, an independent secular charity operating within the church building.
Beech succeeds Philip Walker, who has stepped down after 22 years of service, and will be joined by two new trustees – Neil Ruckman and Cathy Bird.
“I was drawn to the organisation’s unique mission, celebrating culture, faith, social justice and local community under one roof," Beech said.
“It’s a rare and inspiring place, and Union Chapel Project is committed to the restoration and preservation of this fabulous building.”
New trustees at Bell Foundation
Educational charity the Bell Foundation has appointed three trustees.
Devendra Kodwani is currently professor at the Open University, with educational expertise in online education, Shahzad Ali has over 25 years' experience in financial services and Sarah Philips brings expertise in estate management and asset management.
Diana Sutton, director of the Bell Foundation, said: “We are delighted to welcome our new trustees who between them bring a wealth of relevant expertise and lived experience to the board.
“We would also like to thank our outgoing trustees, Jan King and Reshard Auladin, for their outstanding contribution and dedicated service over the past nine years as the foundation has grown in size, reach and impact.”
