One of the UK’s largest charities has named a new executive director to oversee the crucial areas of communications and external affairs.
Sal Copley takes up the role at the British Red Cross in September, leaving her current position as external affairs director of Sustrans, a walking, wheeling and cycling charity.
She has also previously held senior roles with Alzheimer’s Society, Oxfam GB and the Asylum Reform Initiative.
Copley said: “The British Red Cross’ strategic priorities – disasters and emergencies, health inequalities, displacement and migration – are all urgent, humanitarian issues that I feel passionately about.
“I am incredibly excited to be joining the British Red Cross’ talented team and the global Red Cross Red Crescent movement. I am really looking forward to working together to make a difference.”
Copley will take over from joint interim executive directors Natasha Dickinson and Christina Marriott. Both will return to their roles as director of marketing and director of policy, research and advocacy respectively.
The charity’s last permanent executive director for communications and external affairs was Zoe Abrams, who left in December 2022 and, according to her LinkedIn profile, is now a freelance strategy and communications consultant.
Founded in 1870, British Red Cross is one of the UK’s biggest charities, reporting income of £226.5m in the year ending 31 December 2021.
Mike Adamson, chief executive of British Red Cross, said: “We’re thrilled that Sal is joining us as our new executive director for communications and external affairs.
“She possesses an impressive wealth of leadership and influencing experience domestically and internationally on issues that matter to us, which will be invaluable in this role and will help drive real change for those in crisis in the UK and overseas.”
The charity has 3,355 employees, 13 trustees and 1,200 volunteers.