New CEO for Birthrights
Reproductive health charity Birthrights has announced the appointment of Hazel Williams as its next chief executive, effective 3 November.
Williams is currently director of Justice Together, leading a national programme to improve anti-racist practice in the migration sector and access to justice for people in the immigration system.
She said: “I am delighted to be joining Birthrights, a vital organisation I have admired since its inception.
“Having the opportunity to work to improve women and birthing people’s access to rights during pregnancy and birth feels like an absolute privilege and a cause I am personally very passionate about.
“I am looking forward to utilising my experience of working in the migration sector on campaigns and legal advice services and creating anti-oppressive workplaces in the work being undertaken at Birthrights.”
Become appoints CEO
Become, the national charity for children in care and young care leavers, has announced that Anela Anwar will take up the role of chief executive, effective 3 November.
Anwar will replace interim CEO Clare Bracey, who is Become’s director of policy, campaigns and communication.
Anwar, who joins Become from anti-poverty charity Z2K, said: “Throughout my career, I’ve worked alongside people whose voices have been ignored for too long. I know the power of listening – and of acting – to create lasting change.
“Together with young people, our team, our board, and our partners, we’ll work side by side with care-experienced children and young people to make sure they have the stability, support, and love they need to grow up safe and free to flourish.”
Chance for Childhood hires Africa-based CEO
International development charity Chance for Childhood has appointed its first Africa-based CEO, Ven Nyamondo, who is based in Kigali, Rwanda.
The charity said that the appointment reflects its “commitment to shifting the power” and its “deep-rooted belief that sustainable change must be led by those closest to the communities served”.
Nyamondo brings 19 years of experience in the charity sector –13 of those in senior leadership roles – and has been with Chance for Childhood for the past seven years. She will now lead the delivery of Chance for Childhood’s 2030 strategy.
Reacting to her appointment, Nyamondo said: “I am honoured to step into this role at a pivotal moment in Chance for Childhood. This is more than a leadership transition – it is a bold affirmation of our values and a transformative shift in how power is shared.
“I look forward to bringing our loyal supporters and donors along with us into this next phase to continue transforming children’s lives.”
New CEO at British Society of Immunology
Graham Blair has been announced as the new chief executive at the British Society of Immunology (BSI), effective from 3 November.
Blair succeeds Doug Brown, who has been the BSI’s CEO for the last seven years and who, from September, takes up a new role as chief executive at the Royal Society of Biology.
Blair will join the BSI from the Royal College of Anaesthetists, where he has worked since 2016 in a variety of roles, most recently as director of membership, media and development.
He said: “It’s a real privilege to be joining the British Society for Immunology as chief executive to support such a passionate and pioneering community.
“Immunology has never been more important, and I’m honoured to take on the responsibility of championing the profession, amplifying members’ voices, and building on the society’s strong foundations.”
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance appoints CEO
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) has appointed Mark Jarman-Howe as the charity’s new chief executive, taking up the position on 15 September.
Jarman-Howe joins EHAAT from St Helena Hospice in Colchester, where he has served as chief executive since 2013 and led a team of approximately 500 staff and 900 volunteers.
He said: “I am delighted, and feel very privileged, to be joining such a well-loved and important regional charity.
“My focus will be on turning our ambitious vision into reality – building on our strengths, driving new developments, and ensuring we reach and help even more people when they need us most.”
Stoll Foundation announces chair
Military veterans housing provider, the Stoll Foundation, has announced that Gary Lashko, former chief executive of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, will succeed air vice-marshal Ray Lock as its chair.
Lock will step down as the Stoll Foundation after an eight-year tenure. Lashko, brings over 40 years of experience working with charitable housing associations and mental health services to the charity
Lashko said: “I am delighted to be taking on the role of chair at the Stoll Foundation, a historic charity with a bright future.
“The impact of having a safe and affordable home cannot be overstated, and the Stoll Foundation provides a lifeline for those who have served our country and now find themselves in need of support.”
United St Savior’s Charity welcomes chair
One of the UK’s oldest charities, United St Saviour’s Charity, has appointed Ben Johnson as its chair, replacing Stephen Burns.
Johnson has served on the charity board as a trustee for the past eight years and as chair of its community investment committee.
He is also chief editor of a public health journal and has over two decades’ experience in science communication and academic research.
Johnson said: “I am delighted to be taking over as chair of United St Saviour’s Charity.
“My seven years as a trustee have seen huge changes, including building the award-winning Appleby Blue almshouse on Southwark Park Road, joining the Funding Differently grants with Community Southwark, and establishing One Southwark to mentor the next generation of young leaders.”
New chair for Choice Support
Jayne Kilgallen has been appointed the new chair of learning disability and mental health charity, Choice Support. She replaces outgoing chair Oliver Mills, who has stepped down after his third term in office.
Kilgallen has been a board member of Choice Support since April 2023, and has more than 45 years' experience working across social care at a senior level.
She said: “I feel delighted and privileged to be appointed as the new chair. Although I have only been with Choice Support as a board member for a couple of years, I have known and worked alongside the organisation since the early 1990s.”
Throughout her career, Kilgallen has worked at Discovery, the Avenues Group, CMG, Scope, MCCH and Choice Support, and has held numerous trustee roles, including chair of the South London Special League.
Asthma + Lung UK appoints director of external affairs
Andrew McCracken has been appointed the new director of external affairs at Asthma + Lung UK.
McCracken most recently led external affairs for the respected health and care charity the King’s Fund and previously workes at National Voices, a coalition of health and care charities.
He said: “I’m delighted to be joining Asthma + Lung UK at such a critical moment for lung health. Respiratory conditions continue to be one of this country’s biggest killers and the impact falls most heavily on the poorest in our society.
“These trends can be turned around, and I am excited about working with such a talented team and committed partners to improve the lives of the millions of people living with lung conditions.”
New managing director for Big Issue Invest
Big Issue Invest, the social investment arm of Big Issue, has appointed Holger Westphely as its new managing director.
Westphely has been head of lending at Big Issue Invest since 2022, and has two decades of experience working in finance and social investment, having begun his career at Schroders, where he managed high net worth individual portfolios, before moving into the social sector.
He also co-founded Eastside People, advising hundreds of charities and social enterprises on finance and growth.
Westphely said: “I’m excited to be taking charge of Big Issue Invest as we enter a milestone year for the business.
“We’ve spent 20 years of investing in businesses that dismantle poverty, and I’m proud to be leading us into the next chapter with real determination to build further on that incredible legacy.”
Three new trustees at Historic Royal Palaces
Thomas Harris, Dan Jones and Dame Caroline Michel have been appointed as trustees to the board of Historic Royal Palaces.
Harris is a chartered accountant who served as finance director for companies including HMV Canada, Body Shop UK and Dyson worldwide.
Jones is an author of many non-fiction books on Tudor history, and a broadcaster and journalist. He has also presented several historical TV shows, including the Netflix series, Secrets of Great British Castles.
Michel has been CEO of the literary and talent agency Peters Fraser and Dunlop since 2007, as well as serving as the chair and previously trustee of Hay Literary Festival.
Two new trustees for Good Things Foundation
Digital inclusion charity Good Things Foundation has appointed two new trustees to its board, Conor Rose and Dan Zinkin.
Zinkin spent 25 years at JPMorgan Chase and was also a member of the UK Philanthropy Council. He currently works as head of AI, data and analytics for wealth tech firm Investcloud.
Rose is a retail and data industry professional with experience across strategy, communications and programme delivery as well as driving improved digital and data people capabilities.
New ambassador for RSPCA
The RSPCA has unveiled British-Bangladeshi ornithologist, author and campaigner Mya-Rose Craig as an ambassador.
Craig founded Black2Nature when she was 13 years old; Black2Nature aims to introduce children of colour to nature.
She will be encouraging people from all backgrounds to understand more about wildlife, nature and how they can get involved is set to be a significant part of her new ambassador role with the RSPCA.
Craig said: “I couldn't be more excited to be working with the RSPCA. There's so much to do to protect and preserve our beautiful country's amazing wildlife.
“As an ambassador, I hope to use my platform to encourage more people to get involved and discover the often simple, yet impactful, ways we can all help animals and nature in our own communities.”
New patron for Libraries Unlimited
Bestselling author Veronica Henry has been announced as a new patron for Libraries Unlimited, an educational charity which operates libraries across the Devon and Torbay region .
Henry has published over 25 novels; prior to writing, she worked in television as a script editor for TV series such as Heartbeat and Holby City.
Alex Kittow, chief executive of Libraries Unlimited, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Veronica as a patron. Her heartfelt connection to libraries and her strong ties to Devon make her a wonderful ambassador for our work.”
