Humanitarian charity People against Poverty has appointed a new CEO as it looks to grow its operations to help more people experiencing poverty in the UK and abroad.
Belinda Wadsworth, pictured, brings extensive third sector expertise to the Wiltshire-based organisation gained through leadership roles in a variety of national and international charities over the past 25-plus years.
These include Age UK and Arthritis Research UK as well as global charities operating in the fields of disaster relief and recovery, refugee support and livelihood development.
She also brings experience and passion for working collaboratively with those experiencing poverty, disadvantage and discrimination in order to facilitate transformational change in the lives of individuals and communities.
Belinda replaces Val Huxley as CEO who in her 18 years in the role grew the charity’s activities in Romania, India, Nepal, Haiti, Malawi and Tanzania as well as the UK, in partnership with her husband Bill.
Val, pictured below with Belinda, trustee Bill Huxley and new director of development James Baker, has taken up the newly created part-time role of mission director.
Belinda said: “It is a tremendous privilege to be taking on the baton of leadership for People against Poverty for a new season, building on the amazing work and foundations that have already been developed.
“I greatly look forward to working with our small-but-dynamic team and connecting with the growing movement of engaged, purpose-led businesses and individuals who see our charity as an effective way to invest in real social change.
“At this incredibly challenging time for those living in poverty both in the UK and overseas, there is so much we can achieve together.”
Meanwhile James Baker has also been appointed as the Devizes’ headquartered charity’s new director of development- another newly created role.
With extensive fundraising and business growth experience gained from senior roles in the charity sector, James will work closely alongside Belinda, Val and People against Poverty’s trustees to strategically grow the charity’s supporters and income streams, including further developing the Business against Poverty philanthropic community.
Val Huxley, who took over the organisation alongside husband Bill in 2007, is now chiefly responsible for overseeing the charity’s partnerships and project work with mission partners in all seven of its countries of operation.
She said she was delighted to be working alongside Belinda and James as they would bring further energy into what the charity is already actively delivering.
“They both have demonstrated great experience, commitment and passion for the plight of others, which can only benefit the people that we support in our countries of operation,” she added.
“As I prepare for semi-retirement, I feel totally confident in handing over the charity operations to Belinda and James, knowing that what’s been built up over the past 15 years is now in great hands to further develop and grow.”
Chair of People against Poverty’s trustees, Paul Van Haver, added: “After years of dedicated and inspiring work, building build People against Poverty into what it is today, we are delighted that Val is not leaving us but rather handing over the CEO role to Belinda while continuing to serve as the charity’s mission director, alongside James as development director.
“As part of our planned transition and growth strategy, we’re thrilled that we have been able to put such a strong team in place to further develop the charity through what is clearly going to be a difficult funding environment, at a time when the need for our services increases both in the UK and abroad.”
For more information, visit People against Poverty and Business against Poverty
