Dear all
I wanted to let you know about some changes to the Wikimedia UK staff team which will be taking place from the start of January 2023.
Firstly, our longstanding Director of Finance and Operations, Davina Johnson, is retiring. Many thanks are due to Davina for all her work to ensure the smooth running of the organisation, particularly our finances - which have only become more complicated over the last few years. At the start of January we will be welcoming a new Head of Finance and Operations, Sharon Mitcheson, who brings senior management experience in both areas and who is currently a General Manager in the cultural sector. Davina will be working with Sharon in January to ensure a smooth transition of this vital function.
Our Director of Programmes and Evaluation, Daria Cybulska, is taking on a part time secondment at the Sheila McKechnie Foundation until July 2023. This has expedited some overdue changes within the growing programmes team, with two members of staff now moving into management roles. These are as follows:
Dr Richard Nevell, currently one of our Programme Coordinators, will become Programme Manager with responsibility for England and major projects. Richard will maintain his delivery role alongside his new line management responsibilities.
Dr Sara Thomas, currently Programme Coordinator for Scotland, will become Programme Manager with responsibility for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and Volunteers. Sara will maintain her delivery role in Scotland but will be moving from three days a week to four.
As part of our review of the existing programmes team we have promoted Karla Marte, currently Programme Evaluation Assistant, to Programme Evaluation Coordinator, in recognition of the level at which she is working.
There have been some other small changes within the team that you may be unaware of. Earlier this year, we appointed a new Finance and Operations Coordinator, Chuks Ogbonna. This full time role replaced two part time roles vacated in 2021. Chuks has also taken over governance responsibilities from Katie Crampton, enabling her to focus on communications.
We will be updating the wiki page about the staff team in the new year.
I'm sure you will join me in congratulating staff on their appointments/promotions and wishing Davina all the best in her retirement. If you have any questions or comments about any of this, please do get in touch.
With best wishes for a wonderful festive season!
Lucy