The LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity AKT has appointed Adam Pemberton Wickham as its new chief executive.

Wickham, who is director of strategy and communications at the homelessness charity Centrepoint, will take up his new role at AKT, formerly the Albert Kennedy Trust, in October.

He succeeds Shān Nicholas, who was appointed interim chief earlier this year after the charity’s former chief executive, Tim Spoor, announced that he would be stepping down after nearly 17 years in post. 

Spoor said he would take time for some “self-care” before looking for his next challenge, but has since set up his own consultancy for charities.

Wickham has been at Centrepoint for the past three years, having previously been corporate director of strategy and performance at Barnardo’s between 2016 and 2020.

He also spent four years as assistant chief executive of Victim Support, and before that was a director at the Cabinet Office, where he worked on initiatives including a programme for Civil Service reform.

AKT said Wickham brought a “robust background in strategic leadership and advocacy for vulnerable groups”. 

It said: “Adam’s long-standing dedication to the LGBTQ+ community and youth services uniquely positions him to lead AKT.”

Wickham said: “I remember when AKT was founded in the 80s. The work it was doing then was so vital for LGBTQ+ young people and it remains so important today. One in four homeless young people are LGBTQ+ and over 50 per cent have tried to access another service before coming to AKT for specialist help.”

Rob Malcolmson, chair of AKT, said Wickham’s “extensive experience makes him the perfect fit to guide our organisation into its next chapter”. 

He said: “Adam’s passion and commitment to our mission ensures a bright future for AKT, and we look forward to achieving great things for the young people we are here to support under his leadership.”