The former chief executive of young people’s charity UK Youth is to lead corporate social responsibility (CSR) organisation Business in the Community (BITC).

Ndidi Okezie had led the charity for five years before leaving last year and is to join BITC, which was founded 40 years ago by King Charles III, in March.

She is also a former board advisor to Sky around its representation and inclusion commitments is currently an advisor to the Children’s Commissioner for England.

Across her two-decade career Okezie, who is a former schoolteacher, also held senior roles at learning company Pearson and education charity Teach First.

“I am deeply honoured to be joining Business in the Community at such a pivotal moment for society and for responsible business leadership,” said Okezie, who succeeds acting CEO Kieran Harding, who is to remain at BITC until at least September.

“This role represents the convergence of everything I’ve championed throughout my career – cross-sector coalition building, systems-change thinking, and the belief that business must be a force for meaningful social progress,” she added.

BITC chair Peter Harrison said: “We are thrilled to welcome Ndidi as BITC’s new chief executive.

“Her energy, clarity of purpose, and deep experience of building partnerships across sectors make her the ideal leader for this next chapter.

“The Board has every confidence that Ndidi will build on BITC’s remarkable legacy and lead the organisation into a new era of impact.”

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