24th September 2018 – Trustees Unlimited has appointed Sophie Livingstone as its new Managing Director. Sophie will provide leadership for Trustees Unlimited and Step on Board – the board level volunteering programme that is run in partnership with National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).

Sophie brings a wealth of senior-level charity experience to the role. She is currently Chair of early years charity, Little Village. She is also a trustee of the Royal Voluntary Service and of Generation Change, a youth social-action charity which she co-founded in 2013. Sophie led the organisation as its Co-Chair until September 2017. Prior to this, Sophie was the founding Chief Executive of youth volunteering charity City Year UK, from November 2009 until December 2017.

Commenting on her new role Sophie says, “I’m excited to join Trustees Unlimited at a key time in the business, when there is growing demand from charities for trustees from professional backgrounds. I have a deep understanding of the sector, the challenges and pressures charities face and the skills needed to ensure boards operate efficiently and deliver their missions.

“I’m looking forward to using this knowledge to expand the business and help connect more charities with professionals interested in trusteeships who can bring vital experience to charity Boards.” adds Ms Livingstone.

Sophie will be working flexibly and says: “I’m excited about the opportunity to balance my position at Trustees Unlimited with non executive responsibilities as a trustee and caring for my young family. Flexibility is key to achieving the type of work life balance that should be the norm for everyone and I look forward to demonstrating that in this role.”  

Ian Joseph, Chief Executive at Trustees Unlimited and Managing Director of Russam GMS says, “Sophie brings an extraordinary amount of experience to Trustees Unlimited and has won several awards for her achievements during her career. Governance has never been more important. Sophie will be responsible for capitalising on this demand and driving the future growth of the business. She will also oversee the hugely successful Step on Board programme, which has recently placed its 200th person onto a board. Step on Board has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2014, and many blue-chip companies are introducing it to develop existing and future leaders”, adds Mr Joseph.

In 2016, Sophie received the Mayor’s Fund for London Individual Award for ‘outstanding achievement and lasting impact in tackling the skills and employment agenda for young Londoners from disadvantaged backgrounds. She was listed in Debrett’s 500 List of top “Philanthropists and Activists” in 2017 and in Management Today’s 35 Women under 35 list in 2011.

Notes to editors:

For more information contact: Kathryn Hughes, Kayak PR on: 07801 823 839. Kathryn@kayakpr.co.uk

Sophie Livingstone biography

Sophie Livingstone joins Trustees Unlimited as its Managing Director with a wealth of charity experience. She is currently Chair of early years charity, Little Village. She is also a trustee of the Royal Voluntary Service and of Generation Change, a youth social-action charity which she co-founded in 2013. Sophie led the organisation as its Co-Chair until September 2017. Prior to this, Sophie was the founding Chief Executive of youth volunteering charity City Year UK, from November 2009 until December 2017.

Sophie spent just under two years as Deputy Chief Executive of the Private Equity Foundation. She has also worked in public affairs and communications roles in a range of organisations including Groundwork UK, The Foyer Federation and ITV.

In 2016, Sophie received the Mayor’s Fund for London Individual Award for ‘outstanding achievement and lasting impact in tackling the skills and employment agenda for young Londoners from disadvantaged backgrounds. She was listed in Debrett’s 500 List of top “Philanthropists and Activists” in 2017 and in Management Today’s 35 Women under 35 list in 2011.

About NCVO

www.ncvo.org.uk 

NCVO is the umbrella body for the voluntary sector which has a pre-eminent reputation in relation to governance and trusteeship with over 13,800 members.

Inspired by its members, NCVO champions the voluntary sector and volunteering – connecting, representing and supporting voluntary organisations – from the smallest community groups to the largest charities.

About Trustees Unlimited

www.trustees-unlimited.co.uk in October 2009, Trustees Unlimited and its sister organisation Non Executives Unlimited are joint venture between NCVO,  Bates Wells  Braithwaite, and Russam GMS to provide a solution to the problem many not for profit organisations face – trying to recruit high quality trustees in a rigorous and yet cost effective way. Trustees Unlimited has quickly established itself as one of the premier providers of trustee and non-executive recruitment.

Whether it is a trustee for a charity, a director for a social enterprise or a volunteer to sit on an audit committee, Trustees Unlimited has unprecedented access to a large group of high calibre people who are actively looking for such roles and offers a unique model of delivery.

With a database and network that is both large and diverse Trustees Unlimited is making a real difference in terms of helping boards become balanced and effective.

Trustees Unlimited and its sister service, Non-Executives Unlimited, are committed to improving governance in the Civil Society Sector and through recruitment, training and mentoring have developed a unique offering that is helping many organisations strengthen their boards.