Barnardo’s appoints senior directors as interim Co-CEOs

Barnardo’s has accepted a proposal from two of its senior directors to run the charity on an interim basis while it looks for a permanent chief executive.

The charity’s corporate director of children’s services Lynn Perry and Michelle Lee-Izu, Barnardo’s corporate director of development and innovation will lead the charity while it recruits for a permanent replacement for Javed Khan.

The move follows a “proactive collaborative proposal from Lynne and Michelle”, says a statement from the charity.

The statement adds: “The Trustees have said this is an exciting opportunity for the charity to be led collaboratively by two highly experienced, credible and trusted female leaders.”

We are delighted to announce that Corporate Director of Children’s Services @lynnanneperry and Corporate Dir of Development & Innovation @lee_izu have been appointed as Interim Co-CEOs to lead us forward into our new chapter. https://t.co/zPFRCYIOEg
— Barnardo’s (@barnardos) August 27, 2021

Earlier this month Khan announced he was leaving the charity after seven years for family reasons. He left the role immediately but will continue to support the board until the end of December.

Perry and Lee-Izu said: “‘We are incredibly honoured to share this role and look forward to leading Barnardo’s into a new chapter. We are pleased and excited that the Trustees saw this model of collaboration and joint leadership as an approach that could serve the charity at this time.

“This is a crucial time for the charity. The impact of the pandemic has been deeply traumatic for children and young people and many families are struggling to cope.

“Our services have never been more needed at a time when our income, like many others’, has taken a significant hit.

‘We are absolutely committed to ensuring that the charity emerges even stronger in the aftermath of the pandemic, and continues to embrace innovation, creativity and partnership working, so we can continue to meet the complex and changing needs of children and families in communities across the UK.”

This is the latest top-level change at Barnardo’s this month after its director of fundraising Jennie York announced she is leaving to rejoin WaterAid, where she will head up its fundraising and communications.