Equality Trust executive director to lead family history charity

Dr Wanda Wyporska is to join the Society of Genealogists as its new chief executive after leading The Equality Trust for the last five years.

She is to join the family history charity in October and replaces interim CEO Laura Doyle, who has been in post since December 2020.

Dr Wyporska is also an historian of the early modern period and regularly contributes to historical events, podcasts and interviews.

She is also a trustee of Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, sector leadership body ACEVO and Redthread as well as being a visiting research fellow at the University of York.

Society of Genealogists chair Ed Percival said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Wanda into this role at such an exciting time for the Society of Genealogists. We are in the midst of an ambitious transformation, which will see us move to new premises, transform our membership services and forge new partnerships.

“Not only does Wanda bring significant experience as a CEO and leader in the voluntary sector, but, also, crucially for the Society and its members, she brings a real passion for social history.”

“We are extremely grateful to Laura Doyle for the incredible work she has done as Interim CEO.

Dr Wyporska added: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Society of Genealogists, especially at such an exciting time. Having spent the happiest years of my life in libraries and archives, it is a real privilege to be taking up this role.

“Studying our family history is a wonderful way of finding out more about ourselves and where we come from and the Society of Genealogists helps people to discover their own place in history.

“I’m looking forward to meeting staff and members and especially the fantastic volunteers who play such an important role.”