Your weekly roundup of appointments happening across the charity sector.
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National Autistic Society

Caroline Stevens is stepping down as chief executive of the National Autistic Society (NAS) after seven years in the role, to spend more time with her family including her autistic son Jack.

She first became a member of the charity almost 30 years ago for support following Jack’s diagnosis.

“It was never going to be easy for me to choose the right time to step away from a role that has meant so much however I do so now knowing that I have successfully fulfilled my life’s ambition and at a time when the charity is stable, resilient, and in capable hands,” said Stevens.

“My family is entering an exciting new chapter that requires my full presence. After six extremely difficult years, Jack’s world is opening back up and I want to be right there beside him, helping him live his best life.

“With a beautiful one-year-old granddaughter, ageing parents and a husband who thankfully remains cancer-free, my focus must now be firmly on them.”

She said that while this ends her executive leadership career, she aims to continue working in the charity sector in non-executive director and trustee roles.

NAS chair Steve Ladyman said: “While the Board is deeply sad to see her go, we fully respect and support her decision to step down at this time to focus fully on her family and their exciting future ahead.”

Scope

Disability charity Scope has appointed Mark Wood to chair its board. He has taken over the role this month, replacing from Robin Millar, who reached the end of his final term as chair.

Wood is a former chair of the NSPCC and was awarded a CBE in 2017 for services to children and young people.

"I look forward to working with the Board, Executive Team, colleagues and disabled people across the UK,” said Wood.

The charity’s chief executive John McLachlan added: “Mark brings a wealth of experience, a broad range of skills and a personal connection with disability.

“These qualities will be invaluable as we continue delivering our ambitious strategy to create an equal future with disabled people.”

ScreenSkills

Former Channel 4 executive Sinéad Rocks has been appointed as chief executive of media skills charity ScreenSkills.

She takes up the role in November after stepping down earlier this year from her most recent role at the broadcaster as its managing director of nations and regions.

Rocks, who is also a former director of education at the BBC and a former chair of the Talent and Skills Working Group of the Creative Industries Council, said: “I can’t wait to get started and work with industry and government partners to ensure we build on the progress to date and meet the needs of this vital industry and its workforce in the future.”

SolarAid

International development charity Solar Aid, which deploys solar power tech across Africa, has appointed Nick Pearson as its chief executive.

He took up the role last week following 30 years in business, social enterprise and energy sector roles, including senior sales posts at Diageo, and Reckitt Benckiser.

The charity’s chair Lionel Marumahoko said: “As we work towards a future where everyone, everywhere has access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy, Nick brings a clear commitment to locally led solutions and the partnerships needed to create lasting impact.

“I know he’ll inspire our team, our partners and our supporters as we continue to grow our impact together.”

Pearson added: “I’m delighted to be joining SolarAid at such an important moment. Throughout my career I’ve seen the transformative impact that access to clean, affordable energy can have on people’s lives, livelihoods and opportunities.”

St John’s Foundation

Catharine Brown is stepping down as chief executive of St John’s Foundation after three years with the charity.

She joined in 2023 as a trustee and became its CEO a year later.

The grant maker provides alms house accommodation to older people in Bath and the surrounding areas.

“I have loved my time at St John’s, working alongside our talented staff team who show care for our residents and those in the wider community that we support every day,” said Brown.

The charity said that an announcement around her replacement “will be made in due course”.

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