The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)’s chief operating officer Felicity Oswald is to be the next chief executive of Girlguiding.

She joins the girls’ charity in September after two years at the NCSC, where she was also interim CEO during 2024.

Former national security, crime and policing civil servant Oswald has also held charity board roles at NCT and Nacro.

A priority for Oswald will be to “champion” girls’ role in technology, said the charity.

“On behalf of the board of trustees and everyone at Girlguiding, I’m incredibly excited to welcome Felicity as our new chief executive,” said the charity’s chair Denise Wilson.

“Felicity brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for empowering girls and young women.

“Her leadership will be instrumental in driving our strategy forward, reaching even more girls where they need us most and building girls’ confidence. We look forward to working closely with Felicity to help even more girls know they can do anything, with the support of our dedicated volunteers.”

Oswald added: “I’m honoured and delighted to be joining Girlguiding as CEO. Being a Brownie and Guide was a vital part of my childhood; the organisation enabled me and so many others to grow into the women we are today.

“For over a century, Girlguiding has helped shape generations of independent, brave and free-thinking young women to support one another. I look forward to joining the incredible team and dedicated volunteers delivering even greater reach and impact.

“In a fast-changing world, the views of girls and young women are all too often under-represented. I am passionate about amplifying girls' voices and ensuring the world sits up and listens.”

She replaces Angela Salt, who has been in the role for six years and steps down at the end of June.

The charity’s director of communications, marketing and fundraising Amanda Azeez will be acting CEO until Oswald joins.

Diversity concerns

In its latest 10-year strategy Girlguiding has pledged to do more to ensure it is engaging with girls of colour and those from poorer backgrounds.

The strategy was published last month and admitted that, since an internal investigation four years ago that found racism at the charity, “we know we’re not yet representative of girls in the UK today”.

Action to be taken includes greater collaboration to “reach girls we currently don’t” and building on progress already made.

This has included increasing the proportion of girls from deprived areas involved in the charity from one in six to one in four.

It has also worked in schools in underrepresented areas to run confidence building sessions, runs a unit in Scotland for girls whose parents or carers are in prison, and organises virtual sessions for girls who cannot attend activities as they are in hospital.

Two years ago, Girlguiding carried out the largest rebrand in its history to tackle “outdated perceptions” of the charity.

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