The homelessness charity Emmaus UK has appointed Charlotte Talbott as its next chief executive.
Talbott will succeed Simon Grainge, who stepped down at the end of May after five years in the role, saying it was the right time to move on.
Talbott has spent the past four years at the homelessness charity The Connection at St-Martin-in-the-Fields, where she was director of services and latterly deputy chief executive.
Before that, she spent three years as a senior contract executive at the now-defunct drug and alcohol charity Lifeline.
Emmaus UK is the support body for 33 charities that make up the Emmaus network in the UK.
The charities provide housing, training and employment in social enterprises that generate funds to pay for the home, food and upkeep of the service users, known as companions.
Susan Brooksbank-Taylor, chair of Emmaus UK, said: “Charlotte’s resilience and dynamism were clear throughout the selection process, and we were impressed by her enthusiasm for co-production and partnership working.
“She is driven by social impact and social values and has a keen focus on raising the voice of disadvantaged people. She has a clear understanding of the pivotal role that Emmaus plays in supporting people who are socially excluded.”
Talbott said: “Having worked for many years in homelessness and drug and alcohol services I understand and am committed to the importance of whole person recovery.
“I know from experience that people need more than just accommodation. Everyone deserves a home, a sense of purpose and an opportunity to recover and contribute as part of a community.
“This is what is offered by Emmaus communities across the UK and beyond and is what I have always admired.”
She will join the charity on 6 September.