Lumos Foundation has appointed Howard Taylor, executive director of the United Nation's global partnership to end violence against children, as its next chief executive.

He takes over at the JK Rowling founded global children’s charity from Peter McDermott this month.

Howard has led UN efforts to tackle violence against children for the last six years.

He is also a former senior executive at Nike’s foundation and a former senior civil servant, including three years as country director for Ethiopia at the Department for International Development, which is now part of the Foreign Office.

“It’s a real privilege to join Lumos as its new CEO,” said Taylor.

“I very much look forward to working with the talented team and our valued partners to accelerate change in the way children are cared for globally. We know that when children get the care they need and deserve, they thrive.

“Working collaboratively across sectors and geographies, Lumos is well-positioned to help realise the vision of a world in which every child grows up in a safe and loving family.”

JK Rowling, who is life president of the charity, which works to end the mistreatment of children in orphanages globally, said: “I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Peter for his dedication to Lumos and all that he has achieved.

“His leadership and impact on the wider care reform sector has been remarkable and much appreciated by me. I’m sorry to see him go and wish him all the very best.

“Thankfully we have found an equally experienced successor in Howard. We’re delighted to welcome him to the Lumos team; it is an exciting time to be joining as the organisation’s new leader.”

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