Young Citizens appoints new chief executive
The education charity Young Citizens has appointed Ashley Hodges to the role of chief executive.
Hodges will lead a team of 20 and oversee the strategic development of Young Citizen’s work.
Hodges said: “Leading organisations with innovative education and social action programmes is my heartland and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the future strategy at Young Citizens and take us into our next phase of growth.
“Engaging with citizenship, democracy, community and participation in civil society has never been more important for young people. I am committed to mobilising the next generation and empowering young people to play an active role in the society we are shaping. I am looking forward to working with our partners and championing our work to increase our reach and impact for young people nationally.”
Prior to joining Young Citizens, Hodges served as transitional chief executive at AccessEd.
Hampshire youth charity appoints chief executive
Youth Options has appointed Madeleine Durie to take over the helm and lead the charity into a new strategy. This follows the retirement of Mark Dixon.
The charity has been working with disadvantaged young people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for over 80 years and has plans to grow and reach more young people.
Durie said: “I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead the next stage of the work at Youth Options. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the impact of living through a pandemic for young people, and our work is needed now more than ever to help build young people's emotional wellbeing and help them to re-engage in learning and society as a whole.
“I will be working with a great team to develop an exciting new strategy and hope to build and grow our supporters to help us achieve this goal. Our belief is that every young person can reach their potential and make a valuable contribution to society with the right support and engagement. Our youth workers are there to make that a reality.”
New appointments on NCT’s board
NCT’s board has elected a new chair, Stephanie Maurel, vice-chair, Sarah Brown, and honorary secretary, Ema Ojiako.
Stephanie Maurel is chief executive of the Corporation of Church House. Previously, she was chief executive of Concordia, a charity promoting international volunteering. She has been a trustee of NCT since 2017.
Current chair Jessica Figueras steps down at the end of July, after becoming chair in June 2017.
Maurel said: “I’m delighted to take on the role of chair, with full confidence in the strategic vision that the board has agreed for recovery and renewal beyond Covid-19. We want to build an open and inclusive culture as one NCT team to support all parents, from all backgrounds, in their communities.
“I know it’s the passion of the people who work or volunteer across NCT that will be vital. I’ve seen the drive of all our teams and it’s my favourite thing about working in the charity sector. I’m excited and looking forward to helping lead us into the future.”
Honorary secretary Ema Ojiako, joined the NCT board in 2021 and is currently director of human resources and organisational development and operations at NHS England and NHS Improvement.
Vice-chair Sarah Brown is a lawyer, currently working for the Medical Protection Society. She has been a trustee at NCT for four years.
Trustees are elected or appointed on a four-year term.
Philip Yea appointed as BHF’s second distinguished fellow
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has appointed its former chair, Philip Yea, as a distinguished fellow in recognition of his “immense contribution” to the charity’s work.
Yea joined the BHF’s board in 2008 and became chair in March 2009. He also served as chair of the nominations committee and was a member of the remuneration committee and the fundraising board.
Yea said: “It is an honour to be given the title of distinguished fellow by the British Heart Foundation.
“I’ve been lucky enough to see the benefit of BHF’s life saving work first-hand and have been continually inspired by the dedication shown by the charity’s staff, volunteers and supporters that makes this possible. It’s been a privilege to have been part of the charity’s work over the last decade and I’m now looking forward to continuing my support as a distinguished fellow.”
Yea stepped down as chair of trustees in 2015.
The Institute of Cancer Research appoints new chair
Professor Julia Buckingham will become chair of The Institute of Cancer Research in August.
Buckingham currently holds the position of president of universities UK and vice-chancellor and president of Brunel University London.
Buckingham will take over as chair on 1 August from businessman and entrepreneur Luke Johnson, who runs private equity firm Risk Capital Partners. Johnson has led the ICR’s board for two successful four-year terms.
Buckingham has published widely in her field of pharmacology and received numerous awards and honours for her work,
She said: “It’s an honour to take on this important role at such a distinguished scientific institution, which has contributed so much to driving forward cancer research and benefiting patients in the UK and around the world.
“I am excited by the opportunity to contribute to the ICR’s mission to make the discoveries that defeat cancer, and I look forward to working closely with the incoming chief executive and his leadership team. I hope I can help the ICR navigate the wider academic landscape, and also intend to bring my passions to bear in ensuring the workplace culture does everything it can to support staff and students to thrive in their roles.”
The Circle appoints new chair
The Circle NGO, the global feminist organisation founded by singer-songwriter and activist Annie Lennox, has appointed Melanie Ward as chair.
Starting at the end of June 2021, Ward will succeed current chair Cathy Ferrier, after three years in the role.
Ward is the International Rescue Committee's executive director in the UK and has lived and worked in the Middle East, Africa and the USA. She has also worked for NGOs including ActionAid and Christian Aid.
Ward said: “I am honoured to be taking up the role of chair of The Circle and I am hugely excited by the scope and vision of The Circle in creating a fairer world for the most disadvantaged women and girls.”
New chair for Women’s Institute
Ann Jones has been elected the new chair of The National Federation of Women’s Institutes.
This change follows three years under the leadership of Lynne Stubbings who stayed on an extra year due to Covid-19.
Jones has held offices since 2013 and most recently been NFWI vice-chair and chair of the public affairs committee.
She said: “It’s not been an easy year for the WI with challenges posed by the pandemic, but it’s been so inspiring to see how WI members have adapted and supported each other through lockdown. Together we will continue to recover from the Covid-19 period as WIs begin meeting again, campaigning, volunteering in the community and doing all the activities which makes the WI so unique.”
Christian Aid appoints international programmes director
Christian Aid has appointed a new director to lead its international department. Ojobo Ode Atuluku will be joining the international development charity as international programmes director on 25 July.
Atuluku has 30 years’ experience spanning the public sector, private sector and within civil society.
In 2015, she became country director for ActionAid Nigeria before moving to her current role of head of country support Africa for the same organisation.
Atuluku will be based in Abuja, Nigeria, and will be the first Christian Aid director to be based outside the UK.
Atuluku said: “I feel honoured and excited, not only because I am joining Christian Aid as the director of international programmes, but also that I am joining a global group of committed and passionate people who believe, like me, that extreme poverty can be eradicated.
“These are unprecedented times and the gains against poverty and injustice have witnessed some erosion in the past year because of the impact of Covid-19. However, the pillars of poverty, power and prophetic voice remain relevant as we try to interpret, understand and act to contribute to the change that is inevitable if we are to avoid self-destruction as a human race.”
Shelter appoints Osama Bhutta as director of campaigns, policy and communications
Osama Bhutta will be joining Shelter as the charity’s new director of campaigns, policy and communications.
Bhutta has worked as global director of marketing and communications at Amnesty International where he oversaw brand, media, creative, and digital work. He worked on human rights campaigns around the world and helped the organisation achieve its growth targets.
Bhutta said: “I’ve been fighting for human rights for years – housing isn’t just one of them, it’s also the platform for others like better health and education. We’re living through a time of possibility and our homes can shape a new exciting future for our people.
“I’ve been so impressed by Shelter’s ambition and I want to help our staff to achieve that. Between us, our cross-cutting partners, and diverse campaigners up-and-down the country, we have what it takes to get this done. In this country we are passionate about our homes so it’s high time everyone was able to afford one.”
Carers Trust appoints new executive director of policy and external affairs
Carers Trust has appointed Joe Levenson as its executive director of policy and external affairs.
Levenson brings a wealth of strong leadership experience in the charity sector to this pivotal new role at Carers Trust.
As a member of the senior management teams at both Young Women’s Trust and the National Council for Palliative Care/Dying Matters Coalition, Levenson has a strong track record of leading external affairs work that has changed policy, practice and public attitudes.
Levenson said: “Social care in the UK needs to be transformed. And as part of that process it’s vital that the crucial role unpaid carers play, day in, day out, in providing care isn’t just recognised, but also given far greater support.
“I am thrilled to have taken on this role at Carers Trust, and am hugely looking forward to working with a great team to influence reform of the social care system in a way that secures positive and lasting change for millions of unpaid carers across the UK.”
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