Your weekly roundup of appointments happening across the charity sector.
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Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

Caroline Mason is stepping down early next year as chief executive of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, after 13 years leading the funder.

“Throughout the last 13 years, I have tried hard to balance the potential that exists in Esmée with its wonderful unique qualities of a trust-based, low ego culture,” said Mason.

“I want to thank the Trustees and the amazing team of people that I have worked with for their faith and support along the way. It has been the privilege of my career to be CEO at Esmée.”

The charity’s chair Beatrice Hollond added: “We will all be sad to see Caroline leave, but she is going out on a high. Esmée’s approach to investing and giving that makes a difference to people, places and nature in the UK has never been stronger.”

The funder said it will share recruitment details as it looks for its next CEO “in the coming weeks”.

City Bridge Foundation

City Bridge Foundation’s acting managing director Simon Latham has been appointed to the post permanently.

The funder’s chief operating officer took over the managing director post on an interim basis two years ago.

“Over the past two years as acting managing director, Simon has provided thoughtful, collaborative leadership and has helped steer the organisation with confidence through a period of continued growth and ambition,” said the funder’s chair Paul Martinelli.

Latham added: “Having had the privilege of serving as acting managing director for the past two years, and before that as chief operating officer, I have seen first-hand the dedication of our people and the unique impact this organisation has across London.

Canal & River Trust

Three directors are leaving Canal & River Trust amid a streamlining of the charity’s senior management team.

Chief operating officer Julie Sharman is retiring as is strategy as is impact director Heather Clarke. Both are leaving after around 30 years services.

Also, the charity’s legal and governance director Tom Deards is leaving at the end of this month after 19 years’ service.

The charity says that it has streamlined its executive team from this month in response “to a more challenging operating environment, marked by funding pressures, rising costs, climate change and increased regulatory demands, and form a key part of our evolving strategy”.

Operations and engineering functions will become one division, led by chief operations officer Malcolm Horne, who has been with the charity for four years.

Susie Mather has been named chief policy and communications officer after spending the last three years as the charity’s communications and external relations lead.

In addition, a customer and place division has been created. This will be led by Caroline King, who joins in October from Ageas UK.

Also joining in October is Simon Major, who has been named chief assurance officer to oversee governance, risk and regulatory compliance. He joins from The King’s Trust.

In September Laura Davies will join from Transport for London as chief of staff.

The charity says the executive roles of chief financial officer, chief investment officer and chief people officer, remain unchanged.

It is also being supported by an interim fundraising director, who is “currently reviewing our ambition for charitable income to contribute to the significant cost of keeping the canal network open and operational”.

Royal Naval Association

Andrew Coles has been appointed general secretary and chief executive of the Royal Naval Association.

The former Royal Navy commander joins the charity in September. During his 38 year Navy career he commanded HMS Turbulent and HMS Astute.

He left the Royal Navy in 2017 and has worked in the commercial maritime sector, working with with Svitzer, Survitec, MDL Marinas and Western Marinas.

He has also been a member of the Cardiff branch to the charity, which supports serving personnel, veterans and their families.

"It is a real honour to take on the role of CEO of the Royal Naval Association,” said Coles

“As someone who served in the Royal Navy for 38 years, I have a real understanding of the lived experiences of our serving members and veterans of all ages, as well as their families.

"As a member of the Cardiff Branch, I have gained a good understanding of both the challenges and opportunities ahead.

“I look forward to working with our shipmates, volunteers, staff and supporters to build on the RNA's legacy and ensure it continues to adapt and thrive for future generations.”

Ben

Automotive industry charity, Ben has appointed Luke Genevrier-Mallett as its director of fundraising and engagement, and Chris Easton as director of charitable impact.

Genevrier-Mallett will lead the charity’s fundraising, marketing, brand and engagement activity and has previously held senior roles at Save the Children, the British Heart Foundation and Young Lives vs Cancer.

Easton will oversee Ben’s charitable impact, providing strategic direction and leadership across the charity’s support and specialist services. He is a former head of person-centred care at HMS England and was most recently director of strategy and impact at NHS Charities Together.

“They both bring exceptional experience, inspiring leadership and a shared commitment to improving the lives of people in our automotive family,” said the charity’s chief executive Rachel Clift.

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