Trustee support charity Getting on Board has appointed Mary McGrath as its next chief executive.

She had previously spent more than 10 years until December last year as CEO of food poverty charity FoodCycle. McGrath continues to be involved with the charity as chair of its board.

Her other charity sector roles have included a trustee at Bread and Butter Thing, which supports vulnerable people with essential items.

She has also spent a decade at the Institute of Grocery Distribution, including three years as director of its charity Grocery Aid, which redistributes surplus food to charities.

Three years ago she was awarded an MBE for charity work.

Her priorities at Getting on Board include ensuring trustee boards are diverse, inclusive and more accessible.

A survey by insurer Ecclesiastical last year revealed that board level diversity had fallen, despite more charities actively recruiting to ensure trustees are more representative of the people they support.

"I am passionate about the role trustees have to play in ensuring that UK charities are the best they possibly can be in order to lead to a better society for all,” said McGrath, who replaces Penny Wilson, who spent seven years in the role.

“Through dialogue with charities and individuals we will facilitate charity boards to be diverse, ambitious, well-run and in the long run help solve some of society’s biggest challenges.”

Getting on Board co-chairs Grant Taylor and Julie Nerney added: “This was an incredibly competitive selection process, and we are delighted to have appointed Mary to lead us through this exciting period of growth and expansion.

“We are more ambitious than ever to offer the widest possible access to learning about trusteeship, make trusteeship more accessible and empower unheard voices in the process.”

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