The Chartered Institute of Fundraising has appointed Dhivya O’Connor as interim chief executive.
O’Connor, a former chief executive of Children with Cancer UK, will join the CIoF next week for a two-week handover with Peter Lewis before he steps down.
Lewis announced in March that he would step down after almost 10 years leading the umbrella body.
The announcement came as the institute faced public pressure from some members over its handling of sexual harassment complaints, although Lewis said he had handed in his resignation before the recent outcry began.
O’Connor, who has been on a maternity break from full-time work since July 2019, is a trustee of Book Aid International and founder and producer of The Charity CEO Podcast.
She has volunteered with NGOs in India, South Africa and Cambodia and before joining the voluntary sector worked in a variety of roles for organisations in the private sector including Lloyds Bank.
O’Connor, who was a CIoF member from 2012 until she began her maternity break, is expected to carry out the interim role for about six months while a permanent chief executive is recruited. The CIoF said that process would begin next month.
Claire Rowney, chair of the CIoF, said: “We are very much looking forward to having Dhivya’s inspiring leadership and insight as a charity chief executive and I am particularly pleased she is a passionate former fundraiser.
O’Connor said: “I am delighted to be entrusted by the board to take on the leadership of the Chartered Institute at this pivotal moment.
“I am tremendously impressed by the dedication and commitment to excellence in fundraising demonstrated by everyone I’ve met. I look forward to engaging with the team, the membership and the wider community to help deliver some key priorities for the organisation in the coming months.”