The chief executive of Comic Relief, Alex Reid, who has been in post for a matter of weeks, has resigned amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Reid, who joined the charity earlier this month after relocating from Seattle, announced she would be stepping down and returning to Seattle to be with her family amid the health crisis.

The charity said her decision was based around the fact that the organisation would still need to be run from the UK, which she would be unable to do during the pandemic.

Reid joined the charity from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where she was the head of global campaigns, as well as a trustee for Comic Relief. It is not clear what her next role will look like.

Ruth Davison, the former interim CEO and executive director of impact and investment, will now be acting CEO, while the charity finds a new leader.

“The work Comic Relief funds is more relevant than ever during these unprecedented times. Our charity remains committed to funding vital projects that help vulnerable people in the UK and internationally, as they adapt their services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic," Davison said.

Reid's appointment followed the announcement that former CEO, Liz Warner would be stepping down from her role to work in social enterprise after three years at the helm. She left the charity at the end of last year.

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