The chief executive of the children’s palliative care charity Together for Short Lives will take up the top job at Muscular Dystrophy UK in November. 

Andy Fletcher will succeed Catherine Woodhead, who left Muscular Dystrophy UK in July to become chief executive of Living Streets, which campaigns to make roads safer for pedestrians.

Fletcher is in his second stint at Together for Short Lives, having been director of external affairs between 2010 and 2015 before returning as chief executive in 2018. 

He was chief executive of the community hospice charity Longfield in the intervening period. 

Mike Hanna, chair of Muscular Dystrophy UK, said: “Andy brings a wealth of experience in advocacy and strategic development at a charity that supports families, healthcare professionals and services, and has proven to be an exceptional leader who is aligned to our culture and values. 

“We look forward to working with Andy and believe that he is the best person to build on the success of our outgoing chief executive, work with our committed staff and lead us into the future, ensuring we do the best for the muscle wasting and weakening community.”

Fletcher said: “Having worked with children with forms of muscular dystrophy for many years, I understand that living with a muscle wasting condition can be exhausting, stressful and lonely. 

“It has never been more important that the charity is here to support this community to live well. I am looking forward to joining the team.”

Wojtek Trzcinski, chief operating officer at Muscular Dystrophy UK, has been appointed interim chief executive until Fletcher joins the charity.

Muscular Dystrophy UK had an income of £8.2m in the year to the end of March 2023.