Children and young people’s sector funder John Lyon’s Charity is to overhaul its senior leadership team following the departure of its grants director after 34 years with the organisation.

Under the new structure senior grant managers Anna Hoddinott, Erik Mesel and Karen Millen have been promoted to grants directors.

Hoddinott will oversee communications and strategic grants, Mesel will cover public policy and partnerships, while Millen takes the director of impact and grant practice brief.

The promotions take effect from September and follows the stepping down after 34 years of the funder's grants director Cathryn Pender.

“Cathryn has been instrumental in the creation of John Lyon’s Charity, shaping the direction, style, and ethos from the very beginning,” said the funder’s chief executive Lynne Guyton.

“Alongside the Charity’s first grants director, David Robins, Cathryn developed the Charity’s grant-giving methodology and the principles that still underpin how we work today.

“It is without doubt that without Cathryn and her unwavering commitment to furthering the cause for children and young people, both the charity and the beneficial Area would look very different today and we are going to miss her very much.”

The funder hands out grants to good causes in nine London Boroughs including Camden, Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea.

Since 1991 it has distributed more than £208m to youth clubs and other children and young people’s initiatives.

A spokesperson for the charity added: “This change marks a significant shift in the charity’s organisational model.”

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