Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity announces new CEO

Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity has today announced Louise Parkes as its new Chief Executive.Louise joins the charity from Barnardo’s where she is currently Corporate Director for Income and Innovation.

Louise has been at the helm of Barnardo’s Income and Innovation division since January 2016 where she led a directorate of over 2,000 people and together they supported Barnardo’s to generate over £300million in a year for the first time in the organisation’s history. Her responsibilities included fundraising which raised £40.4m in 2017/18 and the charity’s trading arm which brought in an income of £74.9m in the same year. Louise’s portfolio also encompassed brand marketing, innovation and the fostering and adoption services.

She has worked in the sector for more than 20 years and has successfully led fundraising directorates for a number of high-profile, UK-wide organisations including British Heart Foundation and Shelter UK.

Commenting on her appointment she said: “I am thrilled to be joining Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, a world-leading brand. It is an incredibly exciting time to join the charity and lead on the next stage of its strategy and build on its excellent foundations.

“I have seen first-hand the extraordinary work the hospital makes to the lives of seriously ill children and I look forward to leading the charity to continue its endeavour to support one of the best children’s hospitals in the world.”

Welcoming the new appointment, John Connolly, Chair of Great Ormond Street Children’s Charity, said: “We’re delighted that Louise is joining as our new Chief Executive. She brings with her considerable experience in fundraising and leadership and we are confident that she will take the charity from strength to strength as we enter a new era. On behalf of the entire board, I would like to congratulate Louise on her appointment.

“As we announce this appointment, I would also like to thank our current CEO Tim Johnson. He has done an extraordinary job leading the charity over the past 11 years. Not only has he significantly increased the amount of funds raised to support the hospital but he has also introduced incredibly high standards of fundraising and good governance across the organisation.”

In January 2017, children’s medical research charity Sparks entered into a partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity to increase funding for pioneering and life-changing child health research. Louise Parkes will be CEO for both organisations.

Louise will take up post on May 1.

ENDS

Great Ormond Street Hospital and Children’s Charity 

Great Ormond Street Hospital is one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals with the broadest range of dedicated, children’s healthcare specialists under one roof in the UK. The hospital’s pioneering research and treatment gives hope to children from across the UK with the rarest, most complex and often life-threatening conditions. Our patients and families are central to everything we do – from the moment they come through the door and for as long as they need us. 

Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity needs to raise money to support the hospital to give children who need help the most, the best chance for life. The charity funds research into pioneering new treatments for children, provides the most up to date medical equipment, funds support services for children and their families and supports the essential rebuilding and refurbishment of the hospital. You can help us to provide world class care for our patients and families. For more information visit www.gosh.org 

Tim Johnson announced that he would be leaving the charity in September 2018.