The chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, Peter Lewis, has announced he is stepping down from the role.

Lewis’s resignation comes after the organisation’s chair, Claire Rowney, said the body needs a ‘seismic shift’ in its culture following recent criticism of its handling of sexual assault allegations.

But the institute said it was informed of his resignation on 4 March and the recruitment process for a new CEO will start shortly.

Lewis became CEO in 2011 and oversaw changes to the organisation following the review of the Fundraising Self-Regulation, including a merger with the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA) and the award of Chartered status in 2020.

“It’s been a huge privilege to lead the Chartered Institute of Fundraising for the last nine and a half years, and I feel enormously proud of what the staff, volunteer and trustee team have achieved during that time,” Lewis said.

"At my age, my dad took time to step back, take stock of his life, and consider what he most valued, then moved forward in another direction. With his death from COVID late last year, I decided it was time to follow his lead and resigned from my role as CEO of the Chartered Institute on March 4t,” he added.

“Having achieved chartered status and come through the pandemic we need a fresh strategy that addresses the culture change we all agree is necessary for the sector. It is right for a new chief executive to lead that process and be charged with delivering against it.

“I look forward to supporting Claire [Rowney] and the trustees in putting in place the plans to recruit for my successor which will begin in the coming weeks.”

Rowney added: “As we enter a new era it is time to begin our search for a new leader who will continue to develop the fundraising profession and our culture. We will shortly be starting the recruitment for his successor.”

Share Story: