Children’s care charity boss to take up CEO role at Working Chance

The chief executive of children’s care charity Become is stepping down to take on the same role at Working Chance, the charity that helps women leaving the care and criminal justice systems find work.

Natasha Finlayson leaves Become after leading the charity since 2008 and will take up her new role in May.

During her time at Become she oversaw its rebranding from its previous name The Who Cares? Trust in 2016 and the launch of the charity’s coaching programme for care leavers in 2017.

At Working Chance Finlayson takes over from Jocelyn Hillman, who founded the charity in 2009.

“We are delighted to have appointed Natasha as our new chief executive to build on the remarkable legacy established by Jocelyn over the last decade,” said Working Chance chair of trustees Simon Marshall.

“Working Chance has transformed the lives of thousands of women and their children to date but it’s vital that we continue to challenge the prejudices and preconceptions prevalent about ex-offenders among many employers and prevent women from becoming trapped in a cycle of poverty and offending.”

Finlayson is a former journalist who has also held senior communication and policy roles for charities including ChildLine. She has also been an advisor to the Children’s Commissioner and is vice-chair of trustees at Children England.

“We are immensely grateful to Natasha for her inspirational leadership of Become over the past 11 years,” said Become chair of trustees Hugh Thornbery.

“She leaves Become on a high with an exciting new five-year strategy which will see the charity deepen its work as the voice of children in care, while also supporting and guiding the practice of social workers, foster carers and other adults in these children’s lives.

“We wish her the best of luck for the next step in her career and we look forward to appointing a new chief executive who will take Become forward in its mission to transform the outcomes of people who spend time in care.’

Recruitment consultancy Prospectus has deployed to handle the search for Finlayson’s successor.