Sir Paul Ennals to stand down as NCB chief executive
Ravi Chandiramani
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sir Paul Ennals is to quit his role as chief executive of the National Children's Bureau after 13 years in post, triggering a hunt for his successor.
Ennals told CYP Now that his exit has been "long-planned", saying: "I was persuaded to stay on to see us through a change of government." He plans to remain at NCB until the autumn, by which time the charity hopes to have his successor in place.
In a statement issued by NCB, Ennals said: "Leading NCB has been the greatest job of my career so far; an immense privilege and endlessly fascinating. However, every organisation benefits from new leadership from time to time, and NCB is very well positioned to continue its highly influential work to improve the lives of children and young people, and to support the sector as a whole. I will remain in post until a suitable successor is ready to join.
I will not take on any major new challenges until late autumn 2011 at the earliest. Working in the children’s sector all my professional life, I have put all my time and energy into the great jobs I have had. My next big job may be my last one, so I want to take the time to be sure that I make the right choice."
Ennals will continue to serve as chair of the Children’s Workforce Development Council until March 2012, when the quango’s responsibilities transfer to the Department for Education.
NCB chair Dame Gillian Pugh said Ennals has "provided inspirational leadership to the organisation".
She added: "He indicated that he was thinking of moving on some 18 months ago, and I am delighted that we were able to persuade him to remain in post until now, ensuring that the organisation has adapted to the new political and financial environment.
"We know that NCB’s reputation will ensure considerable interest from sector leaders wishing to take on this exciting role. Paul’s departure will leave a large gap, but we are confident of our ability to fill it."
Ennals played a key role helping to establish the Every Child Matters programme under the last government.
He was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June 2009 for services to children and young people. Prior to joining NCB in 1998, he was director of education and employment at the RNIB.
