Chartered Institute of Fundraising appoints chief executive Katie Docherty

The Chartered Institute of Fundraising in the UK has announced the appointment of Katie Docherty as future chief executive. Katie will formally take over from interim chief executive Dhivya O’Connor on 08 October 2021. O’Connor has been in post since May this year, following the departure of Peter Lewis. Docherty lives in Fife and will become the Chartered Institute’s first Scotland-based chief executive.

Katie Docherty

She will join the Chartered Institute after having spent the past five years as chief executive of Scouts Scotland – a membership organisation of 40,000 young people and 12,000 adult members. As a former fundraiser for Anthony Nolan, senior manager for Age Scotland, and as a director of the Association of Chief Officers of Scottish Voluntary Organisations (ACOSVO), Docherty will bring extensive fundraising knowledge and leadership experience to the role.

Commenting on her appointment, Docherty says:

“Fundraisers need a strong, bold, and inspirational Chartered Institute which champions excellence in fundraising; the highest standards of ethics; and empowers and respects fundraisers to create safe environments for fundraising and fundraisers to flourish and be successful.

“That is why I am excited to take on this role at this critical time and look forward to connecting and listening to members over the coming months so that we can work on this together.”

The Chartered Institute is also in the process of recruiting a new permanent leader of its trustee board. At the organisation’s recent AGM, Nadine Campbell was appointed as interim chair along with three new trustees – Rebecca Mansell of Sense International, Kerys Sheppard of Shelter Cymru and Matt Parkes at the Diocese of Westminster. Campbell says:

“I’m thrilled that Katie will join us and, on behalf of the Board, offer her a very warm welcome to the Chartered Institute. As we embark on a new chapter, we’re confident that she will lead us to become a membership body that fundraisers from all over the UK can be proud of and be a leading agent of change at such an important time for us.”

Pivotal period of transformation

Docherty will be charged with steering the Chartered Institute and its membership through a pivotal period of transformation as the organisation seeks to rebuild confidence after concerns were raised about its handling of historic allegations of sexual harassment within its membership.

In recent months, the Institute has underlined its commitment to prioritise safeguarding of the fundraising profession, launching an action plan to tackle harassment, discrimination and abuse in the sector. This includes setting up a Culture Board, a Safeguarding Task Group and a Professional Standards Panel.

Having a diverse and strong leadership at its helm, with leaders who are thoroughly committed to safeguarding, is a key part of the Chartered Institute’s drive for change.