Dame Clare Moriarty has been appointed Chief Executive of Citizens Advice for England and Wales. She will start on 26 April, taking the reins at a crucial time for the charity as it continues to support millions of people affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
A champion of diversity and inclusion, Clare was Permanent Secretary of the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 2015 to 2019, and of the Department for Exiting the EU from 2019 until its closure in early 2020. Since leaving the civil service, she has been chairing the Health Foundation’s Covid-19 Impact Inquiry, and working with a range of organisations including Transport for London and the Bank of England.
Clare takes over from Alistair Cromwell, who has been Acting Chief Executive since Dame Gillian Guy stepped down in October.
Warren Buckley, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Citizens Advice, said:
“I’m delighted to welcome Clare to the Citizens Advice family. Clare is a strong, authentic and inclusive leader with unrivalled experience running large, complex organisations.
“Her expertise in transformation will help us build on the incredible progress we’ve already made towards providing advice to people over the phone and online, as well as strengthening our face-to-face offer for those who need it.
“I’m looking forward to working with Clare to ensure that Citizens Advice continues to deliver for people at a time when they need our help more than ever – whoever they are, and whatever their problem.”
Clare Moriarty, incoming Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:
“I’m very excited to be joining Citizens Advice at this important time. Citizens Advice has a proud history of helping people find their way, and is also thoroughly forward-looking. The way that local Citizens Advice services around the country have moved even further towards phone and online advice during the pandemic is truly impressive.
“Through my work with the Health Foundation, I’m acutely aware of how unevenly the effects of the pandemic have been felt. Many people are struggling, and the help that Citizens Advice offers will be more valuable than ever as we move forward.
“It’s a privilege to take the helm as Chief Executive and I look forward to bringing my passion for diversity and inclusion, and my experience of making change happen, to support the work of Citizens Advice across England and Wales in the years ahead.”