Social Impact
With a long track record and a broad perspective, we offer creative, thoughtful and intelligent responses to the widest range of client briefs. Social impact organisations across the UK and internationally recognise us as exceptional executive search partners.
Overview
We are privileged to work with some of the most committed, talented and exciting people who want to transform societies for the better - whichever side of the Board table; executive or non-executive. We work for global and local organisations who influence our lives regardless of their scale and our experience is both broad and deep. Over the last two years we have placed over 30 charity CEOs, over 100 executive directors, and nearly 100 trustees, non-executives and chairs.
Our clients
















Our Experience
CAMPAIGNING IN SOCIAL
CHANGE, EQUITY AND JUSTICE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
SOCIAL CARE AND WELLBEING
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
REPRESENTATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Team
Connie Vincent

Consulting Team
Connie joined Saxton Bampfylde as a Researcher in 2014 and was subsequently appointed as Head of Research, leading Saxton Bampfylde’s thirty-strong research team. In her current role she works supports our Social Impact practice as an Associate Consultant. She has worked on numerous executive and board-level assignments across the non-profit, commercial and public sectors. Connie read Italian at UCL and spent a year abroad studying in Siena.
Aidan Kennedy

Consulting Team
Aidan joined Saxton Bampfylde in January 2015 with 16 years experience in Executive Search. He most recently spent eight years as a Partner in the London office of CTPartners, the global executive search firm. Aidan has particular experience in advising organisations on management change in times of transition and has worked on a wide range of leadership and executive mandates for Financial Services, Public Sector and Corporate clients across established EMEA business centres and in emerging markets. Aidan is a former Global Chair and Executive Committee member of the Association of Executive Search Consultants which represents over 75% of the leading search firms and over 7000 consultants across EMEA, APAC and the Americas and remains a Director on its Global Board. As a firm advocate of research led executive search, Aidan previously led the Research division of Armstrong International, before becoming a Partner of the firm and its Chief Operating Officer. A graduate of University College Dublin, Aidan earned his Master's degree in Politics from St. Antony's College at Oxford University and undertook further Executive Education at Harvard Business School.
Hannah Scarisbrick

Consulting Team
Hannah has over 15 years’ experience in search and works on Chair, Non-Executive, CEO and Director level searches and on board reviews. She works a lot with our clients in housing and property as well as with a broader range of organisations across different sectors. She has an MA in English from the University of St Andrews.
Rachel Hubbard

Consulting Team
Rachel leads Saxton Bampfylde's Social Impact practice and has advised on Board level leadership appointments from iconic large organisations, to smaller, regional and start-up charities. She joined the firm in 2000 starting in research, and ran the 20-strong research team before specialising in Board appointments across the, charity, arts, higher education, commercial and public sectors. She was a Trustee for Five Talents, an international microfinance charity and is a Vice-Chair of council for the University of Surrey. Prior to joining Saxton Bampfylde, Rachel an events business and also worked as a Business Manager for a networking research company focused on Britain's top private companies. Rachel has a degree in Theology.
Pamela Leonce

Diversity and Governance Advisor
Pamela is an Advisor on diversity and governance at Saxton Bampfylde. She has extensive leadership experience having been an Executive Director across housing, health, social care and the criminal justice sector. As the Chair of Inquilab Housing association and a board member of Green Park Housing she brings a wealth of experience in company culture, governance and diversity. Her non-executive roles include: Barclays Foundation Bank, Westfield Shopping Centre and Advisor to Mayor of London Pamela is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a qualified English as a Second Language teacher.
Featured

News
Dr Tim O’Neill joins Action for Children
Birmingham City Council’s director of education and skills, Dr Tim O’Neill, has been appointed as the new managing director of children’s services at Action for Children. Dr O’Neill – whose doctorate is in the history of medicine from the University of Manchester – has spent most of his career working with services for children and […]
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Sue Ryder appoint new Scotland based Trustee
Sue Ryder has appointed a new Scotland based Trustee, who brings strong experience of working as a non-executive in health. With a senior City background, Andrew Richmond brings experience of engaging with wide ranging communities and leaders in Scotland, bringing a wide range of skills to the Board. As a National charity, Sue Ryder has […]
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News
Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative Awards – Saxton Bampfylde wins the ‘Making a Difference Award’
Saxton Bampfylde has been announced as the winner in the “Making a Difference” category at the Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative Awards (RIDI)! Each year the RIDI awards bring together leading change makers in the recruitment sector to celebrate the very best of disability confident recruitment. This Award highlights those who have excelled in levelling the […]
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Insight
Board Evolution in a Time of Crisis
At the beginning of lockdown Stephen Bampfylde held a series of webinars with Patrick Dunne to discuss the challenges facing boards and the impact of the crisis on governance. These were an opportunity for Patrick to share some of the key themes coming out of his recently published book ‘Boards: A Practical Perspective’ and allowed […]
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Saxton Bampfylde wins AESC’s inaugural ‘IDEA’ Award for outstanding contribution to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access in leadership
This week at their annual AESC Global Conference, the global Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) presented its inaugural “IDEA Award” for outstanding contribution to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (or “IDEA”). The AESC IDEA Award was established this year to support the goals of the AESC Diversity Pledge, signed by more than 100 CEOs of leading executive […]
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STEP – A new holistic coaching and development programme for diverse leaders
Saxton Bampfylde have been privileged to work with so many organisations who actively seek to diversify their leadership teams and provide development opportunities for their upcoming talent. As leadership advisors, we have a pivotal role to play in the development of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic leaders, and particularly those at a point of transition to […]
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News
Samaritans announces the appointment of new CEO, Julie Bentley
The leading suicide prevention charity in the UK and ROI has announced that Julie Bentley has been appointed as its new CEO. Julie joins Samaritans with three decades of experience in the voluntary sector, having led some of the UK’s well-respected charities including Girlguiding, Family Planning Association, the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and most recently Action […]
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News
Rose Marley appointed Co-operatives UK Chief Executive
The UK co-operative movement has welcomed Rose Marley as the new chief executive of Co-operatives UK. She will be taking up the top role at the country’s apex body in January 2021. Ms Marley joins the organisation from Manchester-based SharpFutures, where she is currently founding chief executive. The social enterprise supports diverse, young talent into […]
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Dr Titilola Banjoko joins IRC UK as Chair of the Board of Trustees
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has announced the appointment of Dr Titilola Banjoko as Chair of the Board of Trustees in the UK. Dr Banjoko will take up the role in October 2020, succeeding current Chair Sir John Holmes who completes his term in office after nine years of service. With a clinical background, and […]
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News
Samaritans appoints Keith Leslie as new Chair of Trustees
The leading suicide prevention charity in the UK and ROI has appointed Keith Leslie as the new Chair of Trustees at Samaritans. Keith joins Samaritans in January 2021. He began his career with Shell in front-line and general management roles, before becoming a partner for consulting firm McKinsey and then at Deloitte, working at a […]
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News
The European Movement has announced the appointment of Anna Bird as its next Chief Executive. Anna, a committed and passionate pro-European, is tasked with growing the movement and focusing the campaign effort to uphold the values, rights and access the UK currently shares with members of the European Union. The appointment comes at a critical time […]
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News
Military charity Help for Heroes announces Nigel Boardman as its new Chair of Trustees
Military charity Help for Heroes has announced the appointment of Nigel Boardman as its new Chair of Trustees Nigel, who has significant family connections to the Armed Forces, will start with the Charity in September 2020. The Charity’s focus, in the short term, will be on rebuilding income and conserving expenditure following the significant impact […]
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News
Life beyond the crisis: how the new workplace might look and how companies will need to adjust
Last month, our HR Leadership Series events were held virtually and we were delighted to be joined by Bruce Daisley – former European Vice-President of Twitter and author of Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat. Bruce shared with us his insights which drew upon his own personal experience and reflections. Prior to the crisis, Bruce had already […]
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News
5 Key Behaviours of Successful Leaders in Digital Prosperity
Strong leadership is vital, both in this time of huge upheaval and as we continue to use digital technologies to move forward and forge a way in the new normal. Leaders in a digital environment have undergone fundamental changes too, however. Gone is the world of command and control: in its place is a leadership […]
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News
Sarah Mitchell appointed as Cycling UK’s new chief executive
Cycling UK, the national cycling charity, has appointed Sarah Mitchell as its new chief executive. Sarah Mitchell is standing down as the chief executive at Heart of the City, a social business which advises on responsible business, to take on the the role of CEO at Cycling UK. She is a former chief executive of […]
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Insight
Humanity at the Heart of Digital Prosperity
Over our near 35-year history, Saxton Bampfylde has supported some of the most successful organisations in the UK and further afield, to identify and appoint senior leaders capable of building confidence and utilising their experience in times of change. During this time, one of the most fundamental changes to stem across all areas of life […]
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News
Paul Kissack named JRF/JRHT Group Chief Executive
The board of trustees of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) and the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) have announced that Paul Kissack will be the new Group Chief Executive. Paul is currently a Director General in the UK Government working on the national response to the COVID-19 crisis. He has held Director General roles at […]
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News
Steve Douglas appointed as new Chief Executive for St Mungo’s
A new Chief Executive for homelessness charity St Mungo’s has been announced today, 2 June. Steve Douglas, will join the charity on 1 July, taking over from Howard Sinclair who last year announced his plans to step down. Robert Napier, chair of the Board of Trustees, announced the appointment this week after a rigorous selection […]
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Insight
Shifting Sands: The role of the board in a crisis
Stephen Bampfylde shares his insights and observations specifically focused on the role of the Board and its evolution in the time of crisis.
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News
The National Brain Appeal appoints Jackie Ashley as Chair
Journalist, broadcaster and campaigner, Jackie Ashley, has been appointed as the new chair of The National Brain Appeal. Embracing virtual technology, the whole interview process was completed using video conferencing. The charity raises vital funds for The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology in London. Jackie, who […]
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News
WWF appoints Tesco’s Dave Lewis as Chair of the board of trustees
In a significant appointment, WWF-UK has announced that Tesco CEO Dave Lewis will join the charity as Chair of the Board of Trustees. With environmental issues increasingly important to people in the UK, and a series of crucial milestones on the climate and nature emergency over the next year, businesses and politicians must make the […]
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News
London Youth appoints Stephen Moss CBE as Chair
In April 2020, Stephen Moss was appointed Chair of London Youth, a charity on a mission to improve the lives of young people in London through its network of over 500 community youth organisations and its two residential centres. It provides a range of sports, arts, social action, outdoor education and employability programmes as well […]
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Insight
The virtual interview: what you need to know
With the impact of lockdown and the ban on all but ‘essential travel’, most organisations find themselves having to rely on video call / conferencing technology in order to meet candidates and carry out interviews. Although the current level of uncertainty has impacted many organisation’s appetite for making senior executive or non-executive appointments, many find […]
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News
New Chair to take over at Sovereign Housing Association
Sovereign Housing Association has announced the appointment of a new Chair effective 30 July 2020. Sovereign, the leading landlord in the south of England, will welcome Paul Massara to the business at its annual general meeting, when current Chair, Gordon Holdcroft steps down after 10 years on the Board. Paul is an experienced Non-Executive and […]
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News
People Moves in International Development – H2 2018 – 2019
Welcome to the latest review by Saxton Bampfylde of people moves in International Development covering the final months of 2018 and 2019. Our latest People Moves review covers the latter half of 2018 and 2019, a period that may be seen in future years as a pivotal, transitional period in the international development and humanitarian […]
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News
Pilotlight Appoints Ed Mayo as Chief Executive
Pilotlight, the award-winning charity that connects business executives with charitable organisations, has announced the appointment of Ed Mayo as its new Chief Executive. Ed is currently Secretary General of the business network Co-operatives UK and is a respected leader and innovator in the third sector, with former roles including those of Chief Executive of the […]
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News
Bowel Cancer UK appoints Genevieve Edwards as new Chief Executive
Bowel Cancer UK has announced the appointment of Genevieve Edwards as its new Chief Executive. Genevieve joins the charity from the MS Society where she is Executive Director of External Affairs. She will take up her new post in February 2020. Prior to the MS Society, Genevieve was UK Director of Policy, Partnerships and Communications […]
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News
Alzheimer’s Society appoints Kate Lee new Chief Executive Officer
Alzheimer’s Society has announced that Kate Lee, currently Chief Executive Officer at children and young people’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent, will take up the reins as the charity’s new CEO in April 2020. Kate Lee has been CEO at CLIC Sargent for the past four years. Her proudest moments there have included successfully lobbying the […]
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News
Simon Lewis appointed new Chairman of Young Enterprise
Simon Lewis OBE has been appointed Chairman of Young Enterprise (YE), the UK’s leading enterprise and financial education charity, succeeding Grey Denham who is stepping down as Chairman after five years in the role and over 13 years as a trustee of the Charity. Simon Lewis is taking up a new role as Vice Chair […]
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News
A Portfolio with Purpose: interview with Benny Higgins
We were delighted to have the chance to talk to Benny Higgins and hear about his self-identified chameleon-like approach to his differing non-executive roles. As he emerges from a very successful and high profile career in financial services, most recently as inaugural CEO of Tesco Bank, Benny’s non-executive portfolio now encompasses public, not-for-profit and commercial […]
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News
Metropolitan Thames Valley appoints new Chair of the Board, Althea Efunshile CBE
Metropolitan Thames Valley (MTVH) has announced the appointment of a new Chair of the Board. Althea Efunshile CBE will assume the position on the 1st March 2020, taking over from the current Chair Paula Kahn, who will step down at the end of February. Althea says “I’m delighted to be joining MTVH as Chair. Housing […]
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News
Reach Disability Mentoring Programme – Round table event
We enjoyed a great first round-table event in the REACH disability mentoring programme. A lively discussion with an inspiring group from a range of organisations, discussing the importance of being open about disability. Our core agenda was about empowering disabled talent, specifically addressing stigma, celebrating what works, looking at blockers and generating ideas. We were […]
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News
Leading with James Ashton Podcast launches second series supported by Saxton Bampfylde
We are delighted to announce our support for the second series of ‘Leading with James Ashton’, a leadership podcast that speaks to people at the top of their game in business, charity, the arts and beyond. Each episode features two leaders from very different organisations discussing their take on leading vital causes, famous brand names […]
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News
CHAS Appoints New Chief Executive
Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) has announced the appointment of Rami Okasha as its next Chief Executive, following Maria McGill’s decision to retire this year. Edinburgh-based Rami, 40, will take up the post on 31 January 2020 and was appointed by the Board after a rigorous executive search, attracting first-rate candidates from across the UK. […]
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News
World Mental Health Day 2019
World Mental Health Day (10 October) is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. Mental health problems can affect anyone, any day of the year, but each year, 10 October is set aside as a day for everyone to show their support for better mental health and to encourage […]
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Insight
Double (no) Trouble: Taking the stress out of multiple appointments
Adding a new face to a senior leadership team can have a huge impact on the diversity of thought, range of skills and approaches to work, the team dynamics and the culture. These elements can, of course, have a significant knock-on impact for the rest of the organisation. It is essential that you are armed […]
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News
Saxton Bampfylde partners with Civil Service to launch new disability mentoring programme REACH
Saxton Bampfylde has teamed with the Civil Service to launch a new mentoring programme designed to help support Civil Service employees with disabilities to maximise their career potential. Mentors participating in the programme are executive level leaders from outside the Civil Service who have either a lived experience of disability or have been involved in […]
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Insight
Paving the Way: The purposeful board approach for the housing sector
Saxton Bampfylde has worked with housing providers in the UK for many years, supporting and identifying senior leaders in executive and non-executive positions to help drive the sector forward. For this report we aim to examine the role of the board in the social housing sector, including the part it plays in delivering for current […]
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News
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award announces its new COO & Deputy Secretary General
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation is delighted to announce Stephen Peck as the new Deputy Secretary General and Chief Operating Officer. Stephen is currently a Senior Director for the World Organisation of the Scout Movement, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and comes with a wide range of local, national and international youth work […]
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Dr Angela Wilkinson appointed as new Secretary-General of the World Energy Council
The World Energy Council has appointed its first woman Secretary General. Dr Angela Wilkinson will lead the development of timely, credible and insightful analysis on the state of the energy system and future evolution. She holds a PhD in Physics and has provided strategic advisory services to leaders in government, business, and civil society for […]
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Nesta announces Ravi Gurumurthy as new Chief Executive
Nesta, the UK’s leading innovation foundation, has announced that Ravi Gurumurthy will join as its new Chief Executive at the end of the year. Ravi Gurumurthy, currently Chief Innovation Officer and founder of the Airbel Center at the International Rescue Committee in New York, will replace Geoff Mulgan, who has led Nesta since 2011. Welcoming the appointment, […]
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News
Sarah Davidson Appointed CEO Of The Carnegie UK Trust
The Director-General for Organisational Development and Operations at the Scottish Government, Sarah Davidson, is to become Chief Executive Officer of The Carnegie UK Trust. The Carnegie UK Trust was established in 1913 by Scots-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and is one of the UK’s most respected public policy influencers. The Trust’s work currently includes improving digital […]
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News
Strength & Stem – A social enterprise empowering survivors of human trafficking
At Saxton Bampfylde, our culture is about the people who make it and truly live our values, and often this goes beyond life with the company. So we were delighted to recently hear from our former colleague and Partner, Jess Visser, who is working as part of a team to set up a social enterprise. […]
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Octavia appoints new Chief Executive
Octavia has announced that Sandra Skeete has been selected to become the new Chief Executive of the organisation. Sandra will take on the role of leadership at Octavia in September 2019, succeeding Grahame Hindes, who will retire after 18 years as Chief Executive. Sandra brings over 25 years of experience working in social housing, holding […]
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News
The Children’s Society appoints new Chief Executive
Mark Russell has been appointed as the next Chief Executive of The Children’s Society. Mark is currently Chief Executive at Church Army, a charity that works across the British Isles serving over 11,000 people each month. Their work in Cardiff supports homeless young people and young people experiencing self-harm, and The Marylebone Project is the […]
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News
The RNLI appoints its new Chief Executive
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has announced that its new Chief Executive will be Mark Dowie. Mark is currently the Lifeboat Operations Manager at Salcombe RNLI in Devon, a voluntary role that he has held proudly since 2017, and will take up the post of Chief Executive of the lifesaving charity on Wednesday 15 […]
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St John Ambulance appoints Chief Operating Officer
St John Ambulance has appointed the former director of operations at the Welsh Ambulance Service (WAST) as Chief Operating Officer in a new role created to drive forward the charity’s vision of building safe and healthy communities. Richard Lee, a registered paramedic and former RAF medical assistant who has worked 25 years in the NHS ambulance […]
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News
Benny Higgins named new Chair of Sistema
Sistema Scotland, the charity which runs the Big Noise programme for children living in disadvantaged areas, today announced the appointment of Benny Higgins as its new Chair. Benny, who grew up in Govanhill, where one of the charity’s Big Noise centres is based, will succeed Richard Holloway, Sistema Scotland’s founder, who will retire as Chair […]
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News
Matthew Reed appointed Chief Executive of Marie Curie
Marie Curie has announced the appointment of Matthew Reed as its new Chief Executive. Matthew joins the charity from The Children’s Society where he has been Chief Executive for the last seven years. Previously he was Chief Executive of The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Marketing Director at Christian Aid. From 2015 to 2016 Matthew was the independent […]
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The Forces Employment Charity appoints new Chief Executive
The Forces Employment Charity has appointed a new Chief Executive. Alistair Halliday, currently Director of Training and Government Relations at SSVC, The Services Sound and Vision Corporation, will succeed Stephen Gledhill, the charity’s long-serving Chief Executive, who announced his retirement earlier this year. A veteran of the Royal Navy, Alistair has worked in corporate business, […]
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News
National Housing Federation Summit 2018: a summary
This year’s National Housing Federation conference had been rebranded as a “summit”. As the BBC’s Mark Easton – who Chaired the Summit’s first day – suggested, that word is rather over-used, yet this really did feel at points like a particularly important gathering of both established and emerging leaders in social housing. The surprise announcement that […]
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Appointment of Amerjit Chohan as CEO of St George’s Hospital Charity
On 1 October 2018 St George’s Hospital Charity is delighted to welcome Amerjit Chohan to the role of Chief Executive Officer. Amerjit will take over from Paul Sarfaty, who has been in the role of Interim CEO at the Charity for the last 6 months. Amerjit most recently served as Director of Development and Communications […]
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People Moves in International Development – 12 month review
Welcome to Saxton Bampfylde’s latest review of People Moves in the international development and humanitarian sector in the past year. Clearly it has been a period of extraordinary change. Beyond the strategic and operational challenges facing organisations seeking to maintain momentum to the SDGs or addressing burgeoning civil and environmental crises, the wider geopolitical climate […]
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Proudly sponsoring ‘Ladies of Quality & Distinction’ at the Foundling Museum
Saxton Bampfylde are delighted to be principal sponsors of the ‘Ladies of Quality and Distinction’ exhibition at The Foundling Museum, London. The exhibition uncovers and celebrates the untold stories of the women throughout history who have been the unacknowledged driving forces behind schemes including the establishment of the original Foundling Hospital. The message of this […]
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News
Kate Henderson appointed as Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation
Saxton Bampfylde are delighted to share the news that Kate Henderson has been appointed as Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation. She succeeds David Orr CBE whose immense contribution to the sector over the last 35 years and to the federation for the last 12 were widely remarked upon during our search. Kate joins from […]
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Marie Curie Appoints Vindi Banga as New Chair
Marie Curie has announced the appointment of Vindi Banga as their new Chair of the Board of Trustees. Vindi Banga is currently a partner at private equity firm Clayton Dubilier and Rice, Chair of Kalle GMBH, Senior Independent Director at Glaxo Smith Kline and Marks and Spencer. He is also on the Board at the […]
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