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.