The Chartered Institute of Fundraising has appointed Macmillan's Claire Rowney as its new chair of trustees.

Rowney is the executive director of fundraising, marketing and communications at Macmillan and will take on her role as chair from July.

She will replace Amanda Bringans, who will be standing down as chair of the institute's board in July at the end of her three-year term.

The institute said Rowney was 'unanimously' selected to take on the post following a recruitment process, which began earlier this year.

She joined Macmillan Cancer Support in February 2019 from Save the Children, where she was executive director of fundraising and marketing since early 2017.

Prior to this, she spent 13 years at Cancer Research UK, leading Race for Life and Stand Up To Cancer.

She has been a trustee of the institute since 2018, becoming vice chair at last year’s Fundraising Convention.

She will take over as chair at the close of the Institute’s AGM, which will be held virtually on 6 July as part of Fundraising Convention Online.

“On behalf of the whole staff team I would like to congratulate Claire as she steps into the role of chair in a new era for both the fundraising community and the Chartered Institute," the institute's chief executive, Peter Lewis said.

"I look forward to working with her, and the trustees, to create a bright future for fundraising and the institute.

"I would also like to pay tribute to everything Amanda has achieved through her clear and thoughtful leadership, leading us to achieve chartered status and prioritising our important work on equality, diversity and inclusion within the fundraising community."

Bringans added: “It has been a huge privilege to have led the Institute over the last three years, a period that has seen us grow in influence and in confidence.

“I am personally very proud of the way the institute has been able to set the agenda around equality, diversity and inclusion, with a genuine commitment to wanting our profession to be one where everyone should feel at home. We are at the start of this important journey and I know Claire will give it the prominence and attention it deserves and needs."

Commenting on her appointment, Rowney added she 'didn't expect to become chair at such a volatile time'.

"With so many things unknown. I know that our voice, leadership and support is going to be needed more than ever before.

“As we start finding our own new normal as fundraisers, I am committed to making sure that what we do is always as relevant as it can be. We will continue to lead on changing our profession to one that reflects the communities we serve. We will continue to challenge poor behaviour wherever we see it and make sure we learn and improve as we go about it.

“And as we respond to a post-coronavirus landscape we will need to prioritise innovation and collaboration across the whole sector, so that we can enthuse the public to give, and give more! I like to encourage disruption, that’s where the best innovation comes from, and it’s a challenge I look forward to working on as Chair.

“While my recent roles have been leading teams in some of the country’s largest fundraising organisations I’m acutely aware of the challenges that smaller charities face, and how much they can share and teach us as a sector.

“There is no doubt that fundraising is the best job in the world, and I’m proud to take this role for the fundraising community.”

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