Action for Children appoints new chief executive
Neil Puffett
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
The current chief executive of Girlguiding will become the new chief executive of Action for Children later this year, it has been announced.
Julie Bentley, who has been at Girlguiding since 2012, will take up post on 1 August, succeeding Sir Tony Hawkhead, who stepped down in February.
Bentley said: "I will be very sad to leave Girlguiding, which is a fantastic charity working with hundreds of thousands of girls and young women every year.
"But after almost six years it felt time to hand over the baton and take on a new challenge myself.
"Action for Children works with some of the most disadvantaged children and young people in our society, their work is crucial and it will be an honour to join the trustees and staff and volunteers to take the charity forward."
Bentley has also previously been chief executive of The Suzy Lamplugh Trust and the Family Planning Association, as well as a trustee and then vice chair of homelessness charity Shelter for six years.
Chair of trustees at Action for Children, John O'Brien, said: "Julie Bentley is a fantastic appointment. She will bring with her much valued experience and skills. Action for Children is proud to have her on board to help transform the lives of disadvantaged children across the UK.
"I know she will help us to make a huge difference to the lives of the children, young people and families we support."
Carol Iddon, managing director of children's services at Action for Children, who has been acting chief executive since Hawkhead's departure, is set to continue in that role until the end of July.
