NET chief executive steps down “to look for a new challenge”

The National Emergencies Trust (NET) chief executive John Herriman has left to “look for a new challenge” in the charity sector.

Herriman has stepped down from the charity after joining as interim CEO in February 2019 and then taking the job on a permanent basis in September last year.

He is looking for a new role to support the voluntary and community sector, as it deals with the long term consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The NET was created to respond to high profile emergencies, following Charity Commission recommendations in 2017.

This year it has raised around £100m in response to the Covid-19 crisis.

“The NET has been a uniquely rewarding challenge over the past 18 months, launching firstly as a charity and secondly launching its first ever appeal,” said Herriman.

“So much has been enabled and so many people have been helped and I couldn’t be more proud of the team for making this all possible.

“However, now that the majority of the Coronavirus Appeal funds have been distributed, I want to return to a more conventional charity role focused on tackling some of the longer-term societal issues caused by the pandemic.

“And, very importantly, after such an intense six months, I’m looking forward to having a short break and spending some time with my young family.”

Herriman has been replaced in the interim by NET chief operating officer Mhairi Sharp.

NET chair Lord Donnatt added: “The Board of Trustees and I would like to thank John for his tireless hard work and leadership during his time with us and for working with the rest of the senior team to ensure we have been able to respond effectively to the unprecedented coronavirus emergency.

“He leaves us in a strong position with a capable team in the knowledge that NET is now in place for any future emergency.”

Last month the NET announced that five partnerships will hand out £12m of funding to support at risk groups amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

This included a refugee and asylum seekers support consortium led by the Refugee Council. Another to hand out targeted support is the LGBT+ Consortium.