Leonard Cheshire CEO to join Charities Aid Foundation

Neil's new sector-wide, civil society leadership role follows successful modernisation of Leonard Cheshire and four years of significant growth in reach and impact at the international pan-disability charity since joining in 2016.

In 2017/18 the charity’s direct community reach was 30,000 people and is more than 75,000 now. At the same time, the charity has improved quality across its social care provision.  It is now the highest quality provider in its sector as assessed by CQC. Internationally global profile has also increased with a record number of disabled people supported through the charity’s education and economic inclusion programmes in Africa and Asia.



Neil will join the Charities Aid Foundation later this year, remaining in post at Leonard Cheshire until then.

Sally Davis, Chair of Leonard Cheshire, said: “Neil has made a huge difference at the charity, leading considerable transformation. His blend of business background, charity experience and disability insight provided strong leadership across the sector strengthened the foundations of Leonard Cheshire. He leaves the charity in an immensely more robust and better place. 

“We will now build on this success to reach even more disabled people with life-changing support in the years ahead.

“I am especially delighted that Neil has accepted our invitation to continue advocating for the rights of disabled people through our work after his departure. The Leonard Cheshire international board will agree on an appropriate non-executive role so Neil can continue contributing to the growth of our work in the future.

“Neil leaves us with our sincere thanks for his achievements and best wishes. I will be working closely with him, the Executive team and the Board to ensure consistency of leadership over the rest of the year, ahead of a new CEO being appointed.”



Neil Heslop OBE, CEO of Leonard Cheshire, said: “It has been an enormous honour to serve as CEO of Leonard Cheshire, and I wish to thank the Board, staff and supporters for the opportunity to contribute to such an amazing organisation.

 “My time at Leonard Cheshire has been both professionally enriching and personally important for me. As someone who has lived with a disability for more than thirty years, having the chance to advance the rights and choices of disabled people around the world, has been the most profoundly important privilege.”

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