After more than 5 years at Chance UK, CEO Geethika Jayatilaka is moving on to take up a new challenge as CEO of youth charity Redthread in mid May.
During the past 5 years, Chance UK has gone through a period of significant change and growth. This has included increasing the number of children supported from 250 to over 1000; developing new services to meet the growing needs in local communities and expanding the organisation’s work into 7 new London Boroughs.
Geethika Jayatilaka said: “I’m enormously proud of what we have achieved at Chance UK these past five years. I’m grateful to all those who have been with the organisation on this journey of change – including our brilliant staff, volunteers, trustees and funders. Their support and commitment, especially in the last three years as we adapted to working during a pandemic, has been incredible and I thank them all. I’m also very proud of all the children and families we work with, many of whom have shared their experiences so that we can highlight the challenges that so many children face.
Whilst I’m sad to say goodbye, I know Chance UK will continue to thrive and I look forward to seeing the organisation build on the incredible progress we have made in the months and years ahead.”
Sarah Parker Chair of Trustees said: “During her time at Chance UK, Geethika has achieved an incredible amount for children and families. In my time as a Trustee for Chance UK, Geethika’s diligence and determination to succeed for children has been palpable, and she has done an amazing job in growing the organisation, establishing a strong financial base and a new operating model which leaves us in a strong position for the future. We wish her all the best in her new role and are delighted that she will continue to champion the voices and needs of young people.
We are looking ahead to a year of significant growth both in terms of the numbers of children and families we are able to support, as well as a number of new roles within the organisation – an investment that will enable Chance UK to expand and deliver on our ambitious strategic goals. We are excited to start our search for a new CEO to help us in our mission to grow and reach many more children and families.”
Chance UK will initially be recruiting an interim CEO to support the team to keep up the momentum for the year ahead, while it begins its search for a new CEO to lead the organisation in the long term.
