The Sheila McKechnie Foundation has appointed Katie Roberts as its interim chief executive. 

She succeeds Sue Tibballs, who announced last year she would be stepping down after nine years in the role.

Roberts, who has more than 20 years of experience in community engagement programmes from a range of social and environmental justice organisations, has spent the past three years working as a leadership, strategy and organisational development consultant. 

She has also worked for Christian Aid in a variety of roles, including head of strategy and development, and before that was projects director at Trees for Cities. 

She is a trustee of the Greenbelt Arts Festival.

Roberts, who has been taken on for an initial six-month contract with the option to extend, said: “I am really excited to be joining the SMK team and to have the chance to work alongside and support so many inspiring and courageous people committed to the common good. 

“I am proud to be part of an organisation that still believes and invests in the individual and collective agency within our communities for lasting change.”

Pete Moorey, chair of SMK, said: “Katie brings a passion for social change and the power of grassroots campaigning, matched with great experience of supporting charities big and small to make change happen. 

“We’re delighted to welcome her to the team at this important moment when civil society in the UK needs as much support as possible to be effective changemakers.”