The Fire Fighters Charity has appointed Sherine Wheeler as its next chief executive.
Wheeler announced last month that she was stepping down as head of the animal welfare and veterinary charity Mayhew to take up an unspecified leadership role.
The Fire Fighters Charity said this week that she would join the organisation, which provides specialist health, wellbeing information and support to the UK fire services community.
Wheeler succeeds Jill Tolfrey, who announced in November that she would be leaving after 10 years as chief executive.
Wheeler will join the charity at the end of April to allow a handover period before Tolfrey steps down at the end of May.
The Fire Fighters Charity said Wheeler would bring “extensive leadership experience”, having worked for charities including Marie Curie, Action for Children and Young Lives vs Cancer.
Wheeler said: “It’s exciting to join such an impactful and dynamic organisation. It will be an absolute honour for me to play a part in The Fire Fighters Charity’s vital services, supporting the whole fire community and ensuring fire service personnel are fit and well, so they can be there for us when we need them most.”
John Baines, chair of The Fire Fighters Charity, said: “I am confident that Sherine will lead our organisation into an exciting future, building on our 80-year history to ensure we can provide health and wellbeing opportunities and life-enhancing support to more members of the UK’s fire services community long into the future.”
Tolfrey said: “Stepping away from the charity comes with some sadness.
“However, I am very proud of all that has been achieved over the last 10 years and, as we look to begin a new strategic period, I feel the time is right for someone new to take the helm and to drive the charity forward in its ambition to achieve long-term sustainability, together with continued excellence in the field of health and wellbeing.”