Your weekly roundup of appointments happening across the charity sector.
_____________________________________________________________

Swansea City AFC Foundation

Championship football club Swansea City ‘s charitable arm has appointed Phillip Smith as chief executive.

He joins the former Premier League’s club’s Foundation after a decade’s experience in senior roles in community football organisations, most recently as CEO of Northampton Town FC Community Trust.

“Having grown up in West Wales, this appointment also means a great deal to me personally,” said Smith.

“To have the opportunity to return to this part of the country and use the experience I’ve gained throughout my career to contribute to the communities I grew up in, is incredibly special.

The Foundation’s chair David Jones added: “Phillip brings a wealth of experience from across the football community sector, including nine years leading Northampton Town FC Community Trust.

“His track record of developing organisations, building strong partnerships and delivering meaningful community impact made him an excellent fit for the Foundation.”

Royal Osteoporosis Society

Domestic abuse charity SafeLives’ interim chief executive Tracey Bleakley has been appointed as permanent CEO of the Royal Osteoporosis Society.

She has been leading Safe Lives since April and will take up her new post at the health charity at the end of November.

Prior to joining SafeLives, Bleakley had held a number of senior NHS roles, including co-chairing NHS England’s National Palliative Care Programme Board and as CEO of NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board.

She is also a former chief executive of Hospice UK and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners.

“I look forward to working with colleagues, volunteers, members, supporters and partners to build on the Society’s achievements and create a future with no more broken bones and no more broken lives,” said Bleakley.

Emmaus Colchester

Homelessness charity Emmaus Colchester has appointed one of its former trustees Thomas Empson as its new chief executive.

He was a board member for the charity for two years until 2023 and is also a former CEO for LGBTQ+ charity in Essex The Outhouse, and has worked at Mind and Mencap.

“I look forward to bringing my broad experience of changing lives for many marginalised communities to help empower our companions to have their voices heard to achieve social change towards ending homelessness,” said Empson.

Yorkshire Agricultural Society

Allister Nixon has stepped down as chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society after a period of absence due to health problems.

The board is to oversee a leadership transition at the charity, which will be overseen by Society manager David Tite, with its commercial venues run by commercial director Graham Thompson.

“My recent health issues have given me cause and opportunity for much reflection, and I have decided that this is the right time for me to move on to my next chapter,” said Nixon.
“It has been a real privilege to lead this incredible organisation and work alongside such a dedicated team.

“We do amazing things here, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together during my tenure. I wish the organisation and everyone in it continued success.”

The charity’s chair Paul Russell added: “We would like to thank Allister for his commitment over the last four years and wish him well with his recovery and next chapter.”

---