Surviving Economic Abuse has appointed its interim chief executive Sam Smethers to the role on a permanent basis.

Former Fawcett Society chief executive Smethers took over as the role at the domestic abuse charity on a temporary basis last year after its founder Nicola Sharp-Jeffs stepped down.

The charity has announced she has taken the job permanently, and her priorities will include leading it through its forthcoming three year strategy, which launches during the first half of the year.

Smethers is also a former CEO of kinship carer charity Grandparents Plus, which is now known as Kinship, and is chair of campaigning charity Pregnant Then Screwed. She is also deputy chair of abortion provider BPAS.

“It has been a real privilege to lead the charity over the last year and I look forward to building on our founder Nicola’s remarkable achievements,” said Smethers.

“As the Prime Minister has acknowledged, economic abuse is a ‘national emergency’ that’s devastating lives. Our mission to support survivors and disrupt abusers is urgent and I am determined to lead our expert team to deliver life-transforming change.

“I look forward to working with our board, team, partners, and funders, as well as the incredible women who are surviving economic abuse and inform all our work, to save lives and stop economic abuse forever.”

Surviving Economic Abuse chair Fiona Cannon added: “With 4.1 million UK women experiencing economic abuse in the last year, we needed an outstanding leader to help us achieve our mission to save lives and stop economic abuse forever.

“Sam brings a wealth of experience in leading charities, strong feminist credentials and a passion for ending economic abuse.

“We look forward to working alongside her and the team to deliver our ambitious new strategy and achieve much-needed change, so every victim-survivor gets the support they need and deserve.”

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