Your weekly update about appointments in the charity sector.
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Solace

Solace, which supports women and children who have survived domestic abuse and sexual violence, has appointed Abigail Ampofo as its next chair.

Ampofo, who is currently interim chief executive of young people’s mental health charity Young Minds, will officially start her tenure leading Solace’s board following its annual general meeting in December.

"I am honoured to be joining Solace as chair of trustees,” said Ampofo, who is a former interim CEO of domestic abuse charity Refuge.

“Solace plays a vital role in supporting women and children to rebuild their lives free from abuse, and I look forward to working alongside the board, staff, volunteers and partners to continue strengthening this essential mission."

Arts Emergency

Arts charity Arts Emergency has adopted a co-leadership model.

Its former director of fundraising and marketing Lucy Newton has been appointed as co-chief executive along side its co-founder Neil Griffiths.

Newton joined the charity seven years ago as its sole fundraising manager.

The charity was launched in 2013 by Griffiths and comedian Josie Long to support underrepresented creative young people with mentoring and networking opportunities.



Mermaids

Transgender youth charity Mermaids' former chair is to become its interim chief executive.

Kathryn Downs has stepped down from its board to lead the charity while it looks for a permanent replacement for Lauren Stoner, who stepped down earlier this month.

Trustee Hardeep Aiden has been named as the new chair of Mermaids, which has also announced that Paula Puxty is joining the charity in October as its chief operating officer.

Young Women’s Trust

Claire Reindorp is to leave her role as chief executive of Young Women’s Trust in Spring 2026.

The charity is now on the hunt for a replacement for Reindorp.

She will stay in post until her successor is in post and then plans to take a career break, followed by part-time work.

“Claire’s impact on the charity has been truly transformational,” said the charity’s chair Emma Norris.

“She has built, led, and is delivering a clear and compelling strategy, navigated the organisation through change and growth, and helped elevate our campaigning voice during a time of significant political shifts.”



Tomorrow’s Warriors

Youth talent development charity Tomorrow’s Warriors has appointed a senior BBC executive to chair its board.

Tove Okunniwa is director group partnerships at the BBC, is a former chief executive of London Sport and has also spent six years in senior roles at Sport England.

She takes over from Viv Broughton, who remains as a trustee.

Meanwhile, the Black-founded and led charity has also announced two senior staff appointments, with Sian Lord- Baptiste joining its chief operating officer and Erin Barnes taking up the role of head of learning, outreach and engagement.

Alzheimer's Society

Alzheimer’s Society has appointed civil servant Michelle Dyson as its next chief executive.

She joins the charity next month after almost three decades in the civil service, most recently spending five years until July as the director general of adult social care at the Department of Health and Social Care.

Dyson has also held senior roles overseeing early years and qualifications at the Department for Education, and support for families and those with disabilities at the Department for Work and Pensions.

PSP Association

Rare disease charity PSP Association has appointed Dr James Cusack as its next chair. He joins from autism research charity Austistica where he held the same role

The PSP Association supports people impacted by rare neurodegenerative conditions supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). Around 10,000 in the UK are impacted, with the actual number thought to be higher due to a 60% misdiagnosis rate.

Cusack succeeds Rebecca Packwood, who has been in post since 2021.

“James brings a background in neuroscience research, a reputation as an inspirational leader and a record of transformational achievements as CEO of Autistica,” said PSP Association chair Rowena Ironside.

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