The homelessness charity the Fat Macy’s Foundation has promoted its interim managing director to the top job on a permanent basis.
Ryan McKiernan has been interim managing director of the charity and social enterprise for a year, having succeeded the charity’s founder Meg Doherty.
The organisation uses hospitality training and access to a rental deposit grant to support individuals experiencing homelessness towards lasting and secure employment, resettlement and better wellbeing.
Doherty had led the charity since its launch in March 2016, but went on maternity leave in July last year.
She has since decided not to return to the organisation and will instead work with the charity in an advisory capacity.
Before McKiernan joined Fat Macy’s Foundation in June 2025, he was a senior director at the fundraising consulting firm CCS Fundraising between September 2023 and April 2025.
He was also senior corporate giving manager at St. Paul’s Cathedral over the same period, from April 2022 to 2025.
McKiernan was the business development manager at the charity Society of Chemical Industry between 2019 and 2022, before which he worked in events at the House of St Barnabas from 2017 to 2018.
He serves as a mentor for the Patchwork Foundation, a charity that supports the active participation of disadvantaged and marginalised young people in democracy, and routinely advocates for the greater involvement of young people in civil society.
McKiernan said: “Fat Macy’s is committed to transforming the lives of those experiencing homelessness, and I’m excited to continue playing a role in that mission.
“As the rates of homelessness in the UK continue to rise, our work is more important than ever.”
Chris Attoe, chair of the Fat Macy’s Foundation, said: “Ryan has already achieved a high level of impact over the past 12 months since joining the charity.
“As we enter our second decade of operations, Ryan’s leadership and past fundraising experience will be crucial as we look to scale our programme of work and impact.”