She will take up post in the summer

Julie Bentley is the new chief executive of Action for Children.

The current Girlguiding chief executive (pictured) will take up her new post in the summer.

She succeeds Sir Tony Hawkhead who stepped down from the children’s charity in February.

Previously chief executive of The Suzy Lamplugh Trust and the Family Planning Association, as well as a trustee and then vice chair of Shelter for six years, Bentley has dedicated her career to the charity sector.

She said: “I will be very sad to leave Girlguiding which is a fantastic charity working with hundreds of thousands of girls and young women every year. But after almost six years it felt time to hand over the baton and take on a new challenge myself.

“Action for Children works with some of the most disadvantaged children and young people in our society, their work is crucial and it will be an honour to join the trustees and staff and volunteers to take the charity forward.”

Action for Children chairman John O’ Brien said: “Julie Bentley is a fantastic appointment. She will bring with her much valued experience and skills. Action for Children is proud to have her on board to help transform the lives of disadvantaged children across the UK."

Bentley will take over at Action for Children on 1 August.