For the first time in AFK’s 30-year history, two women will lead the charity.
Miriam Deakin has been appointed Chair of the Board of Trustees, with Katie Cavanagh appointed Chief Executive Officer. Both take up their roles with immediate effect.
Together, they will lead AFK’s work supporting disabled children and young people with specialist mobility equipment, and helping neurodivergent young people move into paid employment.
Miriam is the first woman to chair AFK since it was founded more than 30 years ago.
Miriam joined AFK as a Trustee in 2022 and steps into the Chair role after four years on the board. Miriam started her career in social care and local government, followed by ten years’ leadership experience in strategy, policy and engagement in membership organisations supporting health, social care and education. Miriam is currently Director of Strategy and Policy at FODO Group and works with government, parliamentarians and national decision-makers to influence and improve health and care policy.
Katie becomes Chief Executive after nine months as interim Chief Executive, having previously served as AFK’s Director of Fundraising and Communications. Katie brings thirty years’ experience in the voluntary sector, including roles at the MS Society and Sense, working in fundraising and raising millions for national and local charities. She is passionate about the sector and about ensuring that disabled and neurodiverse children and young people are supported to achieve their dreams and aspirations.
Commenting on her appointment, Katie said: “I am delighted to be taking up this role in a charity I love, leading a caring, expert team to support disabled and neurodivergent children and young people with mobility equipment and into paid employment.”
Outgoing Chair Gurmeet Dhillon, who has led the board through recent years, welcomed the appointments: “After several years as Trustee and Chair of AFK, I’m delighted to hand over to Miriam, who alongside Katie will I’m sure successfully lead AFK to even greater success and ensure we can continue our vital work.”
Looking ahead, the new leadership team’s priorities will be to build on AFK’s recent stability and success, continue the charity’s approach of centring the young person, their needs and their wishes at the heart of everything it does, and to deepen partnerships across the sector, with local authorities, and with the generous funders who make AFK’s work possible.