Nacro chief executive Campbell Robb is leaving to take the same role at the Canal & River Trust.

He has led the social justice charity for six years and will take up his new role at the Trust, which looks after a 2,000-mile network of waterways in urban and rural areas, in October.

Robb is also a former chief executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust and also spent seven years leading homelessness charity Shelter.

In addition, he has worked for government, as director general of the Office of the Third Sector and an adviser to HM Treasury. His other previous roes include director of public policy at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).

“The role of chief executive of the Canal & River Trust is one of the most exciting roles in the public and voluntary sectors and one I am delighted to take on”, said Robb, who replaces Richard Parry, who has been with the Trust since 2013, a year after it was created.

“To act as a steward for the history and protect the future of these amazing living monuments will be a challenge, but also an opportunity.”

Robb added: “I am also committed to the importance of community. In everything I do I wish to support, create and be part of communities.

"The canals and rivers are vital for those who live there, work there and volunteer there, as well as the wildlife they foster and support. To be part of that and to help them all thrive will be a privilege.”

The Trust’s chair David Orr said: “I am delighted that Campbell will be joining the Canal & River Trust as its new chief executive.

“He brings a wealth of experience from across the charity sector, including 15 years in similar roles where he has successfully strengthened organisations to respond to challenges and opportunities.

“I look forward to working with him to secure the longer-term future of our canals.”

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