Visual literacy charity names next CEO

Visual literacy charity Beyond Words has appointed education expert Katie Smith as its next chief executive.

Smith starts this month and has previously held senior roles at Southwark Schools’ Learning Partnership and Dulwich College.

In addition, she spent two years as operations and fundraising manager of the International League of Dermatological Societies and five years at The Food Chain, including a 10 month stint as acting CEO.

Smith replaces interim CEO Alicia Wood, who had been in post since February 2022. Wood is to continue as a consultant for a period to support Smith in developing the charity’s membership model.

Beyond Words uses word free picture stories to help people understand and communicate their feelings. It has also set up book clubs to support people with learning disabilities.



“Katie brings a broad set of skills and experience in the education and charity sectors and her passion for visual literacy will help us spread the news about Beyond Words and make sure that more children and adults can benefit from our word-free stories,” said the charity.

    Share Story:

Recent Stories


Charity Times video Q&A: In conversation with Hilda Hayo, CEO of Dementia UK
Charity Times editor, Lauren Weymouth, is joined by Dementia UK CEO, Hilda Hayo to discuss why the charity receives such high workplace satisfaction results, what a positive working culture looks like and the importance of lived experience among staff. The pair talk about challenges facing the charity, the impact felt by the pandemic and how it's striving to overcome obstacles and continue to be a highly impactful organisation for anybody affected by dementia.
Charity Times Awards 2023

Mitigating risk and reducing claims
The cost-of-living crisis is impacting charities in a number of ways, including the risks they take. Endsleigh Insurance’s* senior risk management consultant Scott Crichton joins Charity Times to discuss the ramifications of prioritising certain types of risk over others, the financial implications risk can have if not managed properly, and tips for charities to help manage those risks.

* Coming soon… Howden, the new name for Endsleigh.