Marsha Blake has been promoted to chief executive of the young people’s charity St Basil’s after more than 25 years at the organisation.
Blake is director of progression at the Birmingham-based charity and will succeed Jean Templeton, who is retiring after 26 years as chief executive.
Templeton will support Blake during a transition period before she officially takes over at the start of May, the charity said.
Blake joined the charity as its prevention services manager in 1999. She was promoted to her current role in 2020.
“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved under Jean’s leadership and look forward to building on that strong foundation,” she said.
“Our mission remains clear: to work with young people aged 16 to 25 in the West Midlands to enable them to find and keep a home, grow their confidence, develop their skills, increase opportunities and prevent homelessness.”
The charity said that under Templeton’s leadership, it had expanded its reach and influence, strengthened its voice in national policy discussions and developed innovative prevention models that have supported thousands of young people.
“Her contribution leaves a lasting legacy across the organisation and the wider homelessness sector,” the charity said.
Templeton said of Blake: “Her passion, integrity and deep understanding of both our services and the young people we serve make her exceptionally well placed to guide the organisation into its next chapter.”