Food poverty charity Trussell has promoted its deputy chief executive Matthew van Duyvenbode to be co-chief executive, where he will work alongside its current CEO Emma Revie.

The charity said that adopting a co-leadership model is a “natural and forward-looking step in our leadership journey” and that van Duyvenbode and Review have already worked well together leading the charity “during periods of growth, challenge and transformation”.

“By evolving from a CEO/Deputy CEO structure to co-CEOs, we gain the benefits of shared leadership at minimal additional cost – strengthening our ability to respond with agility, ensure continuity and support our community of food banks,” said the charity.

“By adopting this structure, we ensure our organisation and community of food banks are well-led, resilient and able to meet extremely high levels of need in a complex and challenging external environment.”

Its chair Natalie Campbell, who is a co-CEO for Belu Water, said: “This appointment is about ensuring the strength and stability of our leadership for the future.

“As a co-CEO myself and seeing more and more organisations adopt this model, the Board is confident this will put us in the strongest position to continue delivering impact, especially in a time of uncertainty.

“It's a move made possible by the unique and effective partnership that Emma and Matthew have built over many years.”

Revie said: “Matthew and I have worked side by side for years, navigating growth and challenge together. This step gives formal shape to what’s already true in practice - and helps us accelerate our efforts to end hunger in the UK. I’m really excited about what this model makes possible.”

Van Duyvenbode, who joined the charity as chief strategy officer five years ago before being promoted to deputy CEO last year, added: “More organisations are embracing co-leadership as a way to strengthen resilience - and this move shows our board is thinking boldly and acting ahead of the curve.”

"With one in seven people in the UK facing hunger and hardship, it's more important than ever to not lose momentum. Together we can end the need for emergency food, and this leadership structure strengthens our ability to do that."

Other charities to adopt a co-leadership include family support organisation Home-Start UK. Natalie Acton and Jodi Reed will become co-CEOs at the charity next month.

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