Diabetes UK announce new chief executive
A cancer charity boss will be the new Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, it has been announced today.
Chris Askew will take the reigns at the charity on September 14, replacing Barbara Young following five years in the post.
In his new role Chris will lead the charity, which had a turnover of £41.8 million in 2014 and employs over 380 people, in its mission to improve life for everyone affected by and at risk of diabetes.
A spokesman for the charity said Chris had excellent experience in the charity sector, working most recently as Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Now, having initially joined the organisation as Director of Fundraising. He oversaw considerable growth in income, spend and reputation and then negotiated the ground breaking merger to form Breast Cancer Now. Previously, he held senior management fundraising positions at JDRF, Crisis and Action for Children.
Over the past five years the charity has delivered an ambitious strategy which has repositioned type 2 diabetes as the fastest growing health threat in the UK, highlighted failings in diabetes healthcare provision for diabetes and bringing about improved services and support for people with diabetes and their families from both Diabetes UK and the NHS.
The charity has made the case for more active prevention programmes for type 2 diabetes and is playing a key role in the development of the National Diabetes Prevention Programme in England. It has also increased income by 45 per cent, which includes high-level corporate partnerships with Bupa and Tesco. This growth has enabled it also to increase its research programmes in care, prevention and cure.
Barbara leaves a huge legacy of achievement and I look forward to building on this
Chris Askew said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as Diabetes UK’s next Chief Executive and to join a charity with such a great track record of success and with so much ambition to do more for people with diabetes. Barbara leaves a huge legacy of achievement and I look forward to building on this as I take the charity forwards over the coming years.”
Barbara Young said: “I am pleased to be able to hand over to someone of Chris’s experience and am confident that, with the skills of Chris and the Executive Team on board, the charity will be well placed to grow in resources, influence and impact and take full advantage of the fact that there is widespread acceptance that diabetes is an issue whose time has at long last come. Diabetes UK has grown by almost 45 per cent in the last four years and diabetes is now firmly on the map in all four countries of the UK, both of which are a real tribute to the team we have developed here. I am proud of what we have been able to do as a team of staff, trustees and volunteers for people with diabetes and their families.”
Sir Peter Dixon, Chairman of Diabetes UK, said: “Barbara’s tireless energy and commitment to improve life for people affected by and at risk of diabetes has been the driving force behind the charity’s significant achievements over the last five years. We are immensely grateful for the profound positive impact she has made on behalf of people who are living with and at risk of diabetes and their families.”
“We undertook a rigorous process to appoint our new Chief Executive and were impressed by Chris’ breadth of experience, drive and commitment to the cause and our vision. We very much look forward to welcoming him to our ambitious organisation to take it forwards and upwards, building on the sound achievements of the last five years.”