ACEVO chief executive Vicky Browning to step down

Vicky Browning is to step down as chief executive of ACEVO in May after five years leading the charity leaders’ organisation.

She is not moving to a new role immediately and says she is “looking forward to giving myself my first ever career break over the summer, with some space to think about the next direction my career is going to take”.

The search for her replacement is to launch at the end of January and is being managed by Green Park.

“When I started at ACEVO, I set out to transform the organisation – to grow the membership, restore its reputation and bring financial stability,” said Browning.

“I’ve achieved everything I’ve wanted to do: the turnaround is complete and ACEVO is in a stable and healthy state, with a strong, reputable brand.

“I’m so proud of what the team and I have achieved in that time. ACEVO has become a genuinely inspiring, supportive and collaborative community of sector leaders.

"I am humbled by the impact ACEVO members have on our world, and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside them and support them over the past half decade.

“With a new strategy and a cracking team in place, there’s now the opportunity for someone new to take the organisation to the next stage.”

After five fab years, I’m leaving @ACEVO at the end of May. In 2017 I set out to transform the organisation: grow the membership, restore its reputation & bring financial stability. I’ve achieved all that: ACEVO is in a stable & healthy state, with a strong, reputable brand. 1/4
— Vicky Browning (@browning_vicky) January 17, 2022

ACEVO chair Rosie Ferguson said that over the last five years it has boosted its membership from 1,100 to 1,700 and has increased its member retention rate from 64% to 84%.

“Through this time, Vicky and her team have inspired a community of civil society leaders who have permission to be honest, collaborative and humble leaders, ensuring activities are driven by impact not ego,” added Ferguson.

“They have driven forward critical discussions in the sector on equity, diversity and inclusion and on creating a safer sector. And Vicky has personally valued and nurtured constructive partnerships with our infrastructure sector peers.

“She leaves a strong platform from which a new CEO can support civil society leaders to make the biggest possible difference in the years ahead.”