The Royal Society for Blind Children has appointed Julie Davis as its next chief executive.
Davis will join RSBC, which supports blind and partially sighted children and their families, in October, after more than three years in the top job at the international development charity Hope for Children.
She succeeds Sue Sharp, who announced in April that she would retire later this year.
Davis told Third Sector that she had loved every minute of her time at Hope for Children and it would be a “wrench” to leave, but the opportunity had come up to work with a unique organisation in the shape of the RSBC and it had been a personal decision to take it.
She has experience of vision impairment following the premature birth of her daughter, who has severe retinopathy (disease of the retina).
Davis said that a plan was still being put in place by the trustee board for her exit from Hope for Children, but it would likely involve an interim leader being appointed while a permanent replacement was recruited.
She also said, in a press release statement: “I am delighted to be appointed as the new CEO of RSBC. It is such a privilege to lead a charity with such a treasured history and outstanding credentials.”
The press release says Davis wants her life experiences to positively contribute to the further development of RSBC as the national leader in all services for vision-impaired children and young people.
Davis has worked for several charities and government agencies working with children, young people and families.
Patrick Plant, chair of RSBC, said: “Julie follows in the steps of a strong line of chief executives and we are confident that she will forge her own path to ensuring that RSBC continues to flourish.
“Our key aims are to develop and grow the breadth and reach of our services and support many more blind and partially sighted children and young people over the coming years.”
Last year, Hope for Children assumed the assets of another international development charity, Aids Orphan, after the latter closed down amid substantial fundraising losses. The deal took place after Aids Orphan’s founder made contact with Davis on Zoom.