The Canal & River Trust, one of the largest charities in the UK, has named its new fundraising director.
Maggie Gardner will start in the role next month.
She previously worked as managing director of strategic partnerships, development and communication at the US non-profit organisation The Freedom Fund and as marketing, communications and fundraising director at global development charity Practical Action.
Gardner was also a trustee at the New Economics Foundation think tank between 2015 and 2020.
The charity confirmed that she will be the first person to fill the role, which has been newly created on its executive team.
The Canal & River Trust has raised and spent more than £1bn over the last five years on protecting Britain’s waterways, according to its filings with the Charity Commission.
Gardner said: “Canals hold a special place in the heart of the millions of people who live on and alongside them, visit for boating holidays or to stroll along the towpath and enjoy them as places of recreation and tranquillity.
“Our mission is to protect and preserve them both for now and future generations, but we need public support, alongside vital funding from the government to ensure their survival.
“I’m excited to be joining the trust and securing the future of these national treasures.”