Chief executive takes role during challenging climate

Clic Sargent’s new chief executive said she feels privileged to lead the cancer charity “through these difficult times.”

Rachel Kirby-Rider was previously led the charity’s income and engagement teams and prior to joining Clic Sargent, was executive director of fundraising and communications at Samaritans and head of corporate & community fundraising at Diabetes UK.

Kirby-Rider was appointed interim chief executive in early March 2020 following Kate Lee’s move to Alzheimer’s Society, and last week was appointed to the permanent position.

She takes up the role at a time when charities are calling on the government for urgent financial help so that they can continue to provide services to those who desperately need them amid the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak.

She said: “I feel privileged to have this opportunity to lead CLIC Sargent through these extremely challenging times. The impact of Coronavirus is being felt by each and every one of us, none more so than the young cancer patients and families we support here at CLIC Sargent.

“Families need our support more than ever as they deal with the huge anxiety that Coronavirus brings. Our social workers are supporting parents who feel as frightened now as they did when they were first told their child had cancer.”

Sir David Haslam, chair of the board of trustees at Clic Sargent, added: “I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Rachel. Her calm leadership as interim CEO through one of the most serious crises in modern history has been hugely impressive and she takes on this new position at a time where young cancer patients and their families need Clic Sargent’s support more than ever.

“I am confident that Rachel is the right person to lead the charity through these difficult times and am very much looking forward to working with her.”