Your weekly update about appointments in the charity sector
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Borders Forest Trust
Borders Forest Trust has announced the appointment of Laura Alcock-Ferguson as its new Chief Executive.

Before her appointment, she was BFT’s Development Manager, having joined the trust in May 2025, and brings extensive leadership experience from across the environmental and charitable sectors.

Her previous leadership roles include: Interim Chief Executive at Circular Communities Scotland; Chief Executive of the Ancient Tree Forum; and Executive Director of the Campaign to End Loneliness. She was awarded an MBE in 2021, in recognition of her work tackling loneliness. She is an alumna of the University of Edinburgh, and holds an MBA from The Open University.

National Youth Agency
The National Youth Agency (NYA) has announced the appointment of Lisa Harris as a trustee and chair of the Education Training and Standards Committee.

She has more than 20 years of experience in the higher education sector, with expertise spanning quality assurance, assessment policy, curriculum development, online education, and academic governance. She currently serves as Head of Strategic Planning at The Open University, where she leads on risk management, institutional performance, and strategic implementation.

Ronald McDonald House Charities UK
Ronald McDonald House Charities UK has announced the appointment of Claire Rowney as a trustee.

She brings over 25 years’ experience in the charity sector and currently serves as chief executive of Breast Cancer Now.

Her career is marked by senior leadership roles at some of the UK’s biggest charities, including Macmillan Cancer Support, Save the Children UK and Cancer Research UK.

upReach
upReach has announced that Dr Bina Rawal has been appointed as
the charity's new chair of trustees. She will take over the role from Edward Astle, who
is stepping down in January 2026 at the end of his second term as chair.

She has had a distinguished academic and professional career in healthcare, life sciences,
and research funding. She held senior executive roles in four global pharmaceutical
companies, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry and Wellcome Trust.

She has also been a non-executive director on two NHS boards, a Council member of two
universities and a trustee with three charities.

She currently serves as Senior Independent Director on the Board of Worldwide Healthcare
Trust Plc and as a non-executive director on the board of Primary Health Properties Plc.

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