THE regional umbrella body for charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises in the North-East of England, VONNE, have appointed a new chief executive.

Jane Hartley will take up her post on April 7 and is well known to VONNE as its former chairwoman.

She has several years of experience working in the North-East voluntary sector primarily with a focus on health and wellbeing which includes running a local infrastructure organisation, leading the service provider organisation, Pioneering Care Partnership, and as a Trustee and Director of various charities and a community interest company.

She has also worked as a consultant supporting VCSE organisations across the North-East and been a director/trustee of VONNE since 2010 before taking on the role as chairwoman in 2013.

Ms Hartley said: “I feel very privileged to have been selected as chief executive of VONNE.

“Having worked closely with the organisation as chairwoman, I am acutely aware of VONNE’s excellent reputation and responsibility as the go-to organisation for knowledge and intelligence on the sector in the North-East.

“I’m fortunate to be joining an existing strong team and will work hard to ensure the sector continues to have a voice and influence at the highest level.”

Fiona Ellis, of Millfield House Foundation, was an independent member of the interview panel and said: “As befits a leading VCS organisation in the North-East, VONNE undertook a very thorough process to find a replacement for Jo Curry.

“The quality of the candidates made choosing difficult for the panellists but in Jane Hartley VONNE will have a skilled and knowledgeable new leader who will soon, I have no doubt, put her own stamp on the organisation.”