Government’s former asylum chief takes charge at St Mungo’s

Homelessness charity St Mungo’s has appointed Emma Haddad, the government’s former director general for asylum and protection, as its next chief executive.

Haddad joins the charity this week taking over from senior executive Rebecca Sycamore, who has been interim chief executive since May following the sudden death of Steve Douglas, who had been leading the charity since July 2020.

Following Haddad’s appointment Sycamore will be returning to her role as executive director of strategy and development.

As director general for asylum and protection within the Home Office since February 2021 Haddad was responsible for the UK’s asylum system and refugee resettlement programmes.

This was her second stint at the Home Office, having previously run its Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees.

She had also spent five years at the Department for Work and Pensions, responsible for areas including child maintenance, pensions and employment benefits.

Haddad has also held policy roles at the UK Border Agency and European Commission.

We are delighted to welcome Emma Haddad as our new Chief Executive. Emma joins us for her first week today after securing the role in September. https://t.co/Iz55pvaonW pic.twitter.com/ZEPCm2QItj
— St Mungo's (@StMungos) November 14, 2022

“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining St Mungo’s,” said Haddad.

“Its mission is hugely important to me and it will be a privilege to lead the organisation.

“In the current economic climate, the services and support we offer will be more vital than ever. I look forward to working with colleagues across St Mungo’s and with partners in the shared aim of ending homelessness.”

St Mungo’s chair Joanna Killian added: “I am delighted that Emma has been appointed as our permanent Chief Executive.

“Her knowledge and experience in supporting people who have been displaced and marginalised is very relevant to our role here in supporting the most vulnerable in society and she has a clear determination to end homelessness. We all welcome her to the organisation.”