Trans youth charity Mermaids has appointed Johanna Hardy, the former head of services at single parents’ organisation Gingerbread, to be its next chief executive.

She takes up the new role in November after spending almost six years until April this year at Gingerbread.

Hardy has also held senior roles at Young Minds, Contact and Mencap.

Mermaids say she has “extensive expertise” in developing services, safeguarding, fundraising and organisation strategy.

She has also previously been vice chair of BBC Children in Need’s grant making committee for London and the Southeast.

In addition, she has a personal connection to the charity, as a campaigner for trans rights alongside her son, who has lived in his authentic gender identity for the last decade.

“I am hugely excited and inspired at the prospect of joining and leading Mermaids as your next CEO,” said Hardy.

“This role brings together my extensive charity sector expertise with my personal passion and lived experience in campaigning for trans rights as a parent ally.

“Mermaids is a remarkable charity whose work is needed now more than ever, and I am deeply humbled by the resilience and dedication of everyone involved. I can’t wait to play my part in moving this vital work forward.” 

The charity’s chair Hardeep Aiden added: “We are thrilled to welcome Jo to Mermaids. Her breadth of leadership experience, combined with her personal commitment to championing trans rights, makes her the ideal person to lead the charity into its next chapter.

“We look forward to working with Jo to continue delivering vital support for trans, non-binary and gender-diverse children and young people, and their families.” 

Hardy replaces Lauren Stone, who stepped down last month.

Former chair Kathryn Downs had left its board last month to lead the charity on an interim basis.

Last year a Charity Commission investigation into Mermaids found that it had been mismanaged over several years but found no evidence of misconduct.

The regulator found that the charity had had failed to “ensure its governance, culture and practices kept pace with its growing size, demand for services and public profile”.

Downs at the time urged the regulator for better support and protection for charities that deal with sensitive issues during investigations.

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