The former head of the Royal British Legion has been appointed chief executive of the oracy charity the English-Speaking Union.
Charles Byrne, who spent 10 years at the RBL, the final six as director general, was succeeded last month by Mark Atkinson, the former chief executive of the hearing loss charity the RNID.
The ESU said today that Byrne would take over in March from Jane Easton, who is stepping down after 10 years in the role.
Asked why Easton was leaving and whether she had any plans for what she would do next, a spokesperson for the charity said: “Jane is departing the ESU after managing its development over the past 10 years.
“She will now be working through trusteeship and consultancy to support various charities with their strategy and governance, while also continuing to sit on the board at the Simon Milton Foundation.”
The ESU is a membership charity that promotes the development of speaking and listening skills among children and young people.
The charity, which was founded in 1918, had an income of £2.5m in the year to the end of March 2023.
Before joining the RBL, Byrne held roles at Macmillan Cancer Support and Heathrow Airport.
The ESU said he would work with the charity’s leadership team to “develop a five-year strategy that will further the charity’s aims to reach more children and young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds”.
It said: “His work will also serve to expand the organisation’s membership and international reach by creating opportunities to promote mutual friendship and cultural understanding on the global stage.”
Byrne said: “Oracy has been a passion and a valuable skill developed throughout my life.
“I am so pleased to be able to bring my experience, those skills and that passion to the ESU as we deliver on that extraordinary opportunity to generate a positive impact for people and nations across our world.”
Miles Young, chair of the ESU, said the charity looked forward to “drawing on the wealth of sector experience, commercial acumen and strong leadership that Charles can bring to the organisation”.
Young said: “Charles’ appointment comes at an important time as we look to develop and launch an ambitious strategy of growth and diversification.
“Charles will be responsible for driving the organisation forward as it looks to expand the reach of our activities to more children and young people, to grow a vibrant membership and to further our international impact.”