Homelessness charity St Mungo’s has appointed former British Red Cross chief executive Mike Adamson as its next chair of trustees.

He had been in senior roles at the British Red Cross for more than 23 years during two stints.

During the 1990s he was its director of strategy, and he rejoined the charity in 2010 as managing director before being promoted to CEO in 2014.

After leaving the British Red Cross in November last year he became interim director of the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Trafficking and a visiting professor at Bayes Business School at the City, University of London.

His previous roles included managing director of RNID’s services group.

“His extensive experience across the charity sector and deep expertise in influencing change as part of an ecosystem, using what is being seen on the ground, will be incredibly relevant to St Mungo's,” said St Mungo’s chief executive Emma Haddad.

He will lead St Mungo’s board from September and replaces Joanna Killian, who stepped down last month after three years in the role to become chief executive of local authority membership organisation Local Government Association.

Vice chair Alex Beidas will lead the board on an interim basis until Adamson joins.

"I am incredibly excited to be joining St Mungo’s as its next Chair of Trustees. Homelessness and rough sleeping are symptomatic of deeper societal issues which we should not tolerate. Everyone has a right to a roof over their heads,” said Adamson.

“I am inspired by the difference that St Mungo’s makes to people every day and the leadership role it can play, in collaboration with others, to shape policy and public discourse to help people find a path away from homelessness and rebuild their lives."

Last year St Mungo’s was embroiled in a long running strike by staff. This ended in August 2023 after workers secured a 10.7% pay rise.

---