Kevin O’Brien, former Chair of CFG’s Finance and Audit Committee, has been appointed interim Chair of the Board. Kevin takes the reins from Gary Forster who served for two terms until December 2023.
Talking about his role as interim Chair, Kevin comments: “I’m delighted to have been appointed by the Board as interim Chair and value the trust and confidence the Board places in me. It is a privilege to continue serving the organisation and work alongside so many committed and experienced people.
"My time as a Board member and Chair of CFG’s Finance and Audit Committee has given me the opportunity to support the organisation’s financial integrity and has provided me with real insight into CFG’s work and future plans.”
Kevin continues: “These are really exciting times for CFG. The charity has been through many changes and challenges during the past four years, including an organisational restructuring, the pandemic, and the cost-of-living crisis.
“We have been expertly guided by Gary Forster as Chair, and a Board of talented and committed individuals. On behalf of the Board, CFG’s staff team and our members and partners, I want to thank Gary for the commitment and diligence he has shown throughout this time on the Board.
“Like many other charities, we continue to make sense of the changing social and political landscape whilst remaining focused on delivering impact for the charity finance community and the wider sector.
“CFG is turning a corner and we are now looking forward to a period of greater resilience, stability and growth. The next financial year will see the launch of a number of exciting and ambitious projects, such as the redevelopment of CFG’s website.
"I’m looking forward to leading the Board through 2024 and playing a role in the future development of CFG. At the heart of the decisions we will make will be a desire to focus on continuity and impact.”
Executive leadership team
On 1 April, CFG’s Chief Executive Officer, Caron Bradshaw OBE, will begin a new, part-time role at the Lending Standards Board (LSB). Caron will join LSB’s Board as one of three new non-executive directors. She joins at the same time as broadcaster Iain Dale, and economist Paul Johnson.
Caron will remain CEO of CFG, dividing her time between leading CFG’s team and driving forward the LSB Board in its role to challenge financial services providers to deliver the right customer outcomes across the sector.
Talking about her new appointment, Caron commented: “I am thrilled to be joining the LSB as a non-executive director. My work with CFG champions best practice to create a trustworthy charity sector – values that resonate deeply with the LSB's commitment to setting high standards in financial services.
“My role at CFG remains the same – I’m not going anywhere any time soon. However, this opportunity has led the Board and executive team to think differently about how we shape CFG for the future and how we lead a growing team.”
Caron will be supported by directors Sarah Lomax and Dr Clare Mills, who have both been promoted to the newly created co-role of deputy CEO. The move is part of CFG’s longer-term workforce planning which will also see the recruitment of a number new staff members to boost capacity and programmes.
Caron continues: “Since the pandemic, we’ve strengthened our focus on our people, their wellbeing and the roles we will need for the future. As we head into a new financial year, we’re in a position where we can attract new talent to the team, and continue developing the incredible talent we already have.”
Kevin O’Brien added: “I would like congratulate Caron on her appointment to the LSB Board which I know will benefit from her skills, knowledge and passion for governance and excellence in finance. We also congratulate Sarah and Clare who will also bring their talents to bear as deputy CEOs.
“I’m proud of the way CFG’s Board and executive team have worked together in recent months to think creatively about how we make best use of the organisation’s leadership talents.
“We will continue to evolve, responding to the ever-changing world around us. At the heart of all these appointments, is the desire to drive a steady course for the organisation whilst embracing change, growth and opportunity. The charity sector has a wealth and depth of talent and CFG and appointments are testament to that.”
ENDS
For more information, please email Emma Abbott, Communications Manager.
About Charity Finance Group (CFG)
CFG is the charity and membership organisation that supports other charitable organisations to make the biggest difference possible. We do this by helping them to make their money and resources go further, by putting financial leadership at the heart of their decision-making.
Since CFG was founded in 1987, we have evolved to welcome all finance professionals working for charitable and social change organisations. We also welcome non-finance professionals who recognise that we deliver greater impact when we are financially confident, trustworthy and dynamic.
Today, CFG’s members manage more than £22bn of funds or around one third of the UK’s entire charity income. We are a diverse and inclusive community of people who are passionate about delivering impact through financial leadership.
Together, we lead the way for charity finance.
Biographies
Kevin O’Brien
Kevin O’Brien joined the not-for-profit sector in July 2016 as Director of Finance & Corporate Resources at Young Lives vs Cancer (formerly CLIC Sargent). He has since worked in a number of finance and operations roles for charities including RSPCA, and he was a member of the finance committee at The Lullaby Trust. He is now Chief Financial Officer at Retirement Villages Group. Kevin has also held various finance roles in several large, global and multinational corporates (in manufacturing, trading and property. Kevin Is CIMA qualified and joined CFG’s board in 2018. Before becoming interim Chair, he was Chair of CFG’s Finance and Audit Committee.
Caron Bradshaw OBE
Caron Bradshaw OBE has led Charity Finance Group (CFG) as CEO since she joined in 2010, having previously worked as Head of the Charity and Voluntary Sector at ICAEW. A trained barrister, Caron has a wide array of experience across charity; she has worked on everything from policy to professional ethics, and she continues to influence the reshaping of the Charities SORP.
In 2015, Caron was named Charity Principal of the Year at the Charity Times Awards and in 2020, she was named Woman of the Year (non-CCAB) at the Women in Finance and Accountancy Awards. A year later she was honoured for her services to charity with an OBE. In April 2024, Caron was appointed a non-executive director of Lending Standards Board, the primary self-regulatory body for the banking and lending industry.
Sarah Lomax
Sarah Lomax heads up CFG’s Commercial Services and Marketing Directorate and was appointed Deputy CEO in April 2024. Sarah is an accomplished leader with more than 20 years’ experience in membership marketing and business development across a diverse variety of sectors, including many not-for-profits. Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada, she moved to London after completing her BA from Carleton University, Ottawa, and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Sarah is also a trustee of two charities – CHRN and the school PTA and is also a primary school governor, so being part of the CFG team and the charity world is close to her heart.
Dr Clare Mills
Dr Clare Mills heads up CFG’s Policy & Communications Directorate having spent her career in a range of policy, political and communications roles. Before moving into public affairs and communications as a freelancer in 2015, Clare worked for an MP for more than a decade, helping communities with issues from flooding to power supply. Prior to joining CFG, Clare was Head of Communications and External Relations for charity infrastructure body NAVCA. Clare has a degree in Politics from Stirling University and a PhD from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. She is a Chartered PR Practitioner and Member of the CIPR. She is also a governor of her local secondary school and for an apprenticeship provider.
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