The DFN Foundation has appointed the former head of the Garfield Weston Foundation as its first full-time director. 

Philippa Charles, who spent 16 years as director of the GWF until she stepped down in July, will join the DFN Foundation on 18 November. 

The DFN Foundation, which was founded in 2014 by David Forbes-Nixon, aims to deliver sustainable change in special needs education, employment, healthcare and conservation.

It has set up a school for pupils with special educational needs in Surrey and helped to found DFN Project Search, a charity that works to improve the employment landscape for young adults through supported internships. 

The foundation has been operating over the past 10 years with a chief executive who split her time across two charities but Charles will lead the charity full time. 

Forbes-Nixon, chair of the DFN Foundation, said: “With an impressive background across the corporate and charity sectors, Philippa brings remarkable experience and a personal dedication to the employment agenda. 

“Her proven track record in leadership and building partnerships makes her the ideal person to lead us into our next chapter.”

Charles said: “The DFN Foundation has already made great strides in driving change within special needs education, employment, myeloma cancer research and conservation. 

“I look forward to building on this incredible work and exploring new opportunities to extend our reach.”