New head of the charity announced
Chief executive of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, Jill Douglas (pictured), is to step into a new role following almost six years at the helm of the charity.
Set up by late Scottish rugby legend and motor neuron disease campaigner Doddie Weir, Douglas, was appointed the charity’s first CEO in 2018, and will become patron of the foundation from the end of April,
The foundation’s chief operating officer Nicola Roseburn will succeed Douglas as CEO from 1 May.
Under Douglas’ leadership, My Name’s Doddie Foundation has grown from an idea amongst friends at the Weir kitchen table into one of the UK’s most prominent MND organisations, committing more than £11 million to vital MND research plus an additional £2m to supporting people living with the disease.
Last year, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation also launched its five-year research strategy Catalysing a Cure, which channels funds raised directly towards projects that can make the biggest difference in one day treating MND.
Douglas, also a renowned broadcaster and close personal friend of Weir and his family, said: “It has been an absolute privilege to play a part in establishing My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and I am proud to see the way the charity has grown and evolved to become a key stakeholder in the MND community.
“We miss Doddie every day – he was not only a great friend, but also someone who inspired everyone around him. He was also very good at persuading people to get involved and I was just one of the initial team who was ‘encouraged’ by Doddie to invest our energies in the creation of the Foundation.
“This has been a difficult decision, but we have built a fantastic team and I’m excited to see what the future holds with Nicola at the helm. There are more exciting announcements to come from the Foundation about our investment plans, and I am looking forward to playing my part as Patron in the years to come.”
Ian Watt, chair of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation Board of Trustees, said: “We wish to say a huge thank you to Jill for all she has done for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and the MND community.
"She has been integral to putting MND in the public eye, giving hope to those living with the disease, and driving forward vital research. She will continue to contribute her considerable support and expertise in her new role as patron.
“Our work continues apace until we deliver Doddie’s legacy of a world free of MND. The appointment of our new CEO, Nicola Roseman, brings with it a huge amount of excitement and opportunity, and the Foundation will be in safe hands going forward.”
