Debt charity appoints first female CEO in 30 years

Debt advice charity StepChange has promoted its director of operations Vikki Brownridge to chief executive.

She becomes the charity’s first female CEO since launching 30 years ago and replaces Phil Andrew who is leaving after more than five years in the role.

Brownridge joined StepChange 17 years ago as a debt advice centre manager. She was later promoted to roles including head of debt advice, head of strategic relationships and in 2018 joined the executive team as director of charity development.

“I am enormously pleased to announce Vikki as the new Chief Executive of StepChange,” said John Griffith- Jones, the charity’s chair.

“Over the past few months we’ve conducted an open and competitive search process to find the right candidate and I’m delighted that Vikki has emerged as the ideal person for the role.

“I know that the passion, knowledge and insight that Vikki brings will be invaluable to the charity over the coming years. The rest of the Board and I look forward to working with her in what is a hugely important time for the charity and the people that it helps.”

🙌 We are delighted to announce that @VikkiBrownridge, currently our Director of Operations, will be taking over from Phil Andrew as StepChange's Chief Executive from 1 May this year.

👇 Read more on Vikki’s appointment here https://t.co/bU6nG9AIVT pic.twitter.com/Tjk71AHZUo
— StepChange (@StepChange) March 21, 2023

Brownridge added: “I am utterly thrilled to be the new Chief Executive of StepChange Debt Charity. It’s a real honour and such an exciting opportunity. I’ve been with the charity for more than 17 years and that is because of the amazing colleagues I get to work with every day and the fact that I passionately believe in the work the charity does and our vision to work towards a society free from problem debt.

“To be given the opportunity to lead the charity at such a critical time for those struggling with debt is an enormous privilege and I look forward to the challenge of ensuring the charity and our dedicated colleagues can continue to help as many people as possible while making the case for the change needed to reduce the harm caused by problem debt.”