The chief executive of the support charity P3 has been named interim chair of the Charity Commission. 

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, had appointed Mark Simms to the role from 25 April. 

The appointment is for six months or until a long-term successor to Orlando Fraser is appointed, whichever is sooner. 

Fraser, who has been chair of the commission since 2022, announced last year he would step down at the end of his first term. He will leave the role on 24 April. 

In a statement, the DCMS said Simms, who has been on the commission’s board for the past two years, had more than 25 years’ experience in the voluntary and public sectors, “with a deep understanding of how to lead purpose-driven organisations through complex and changing environments”. 

It said: “He is widely recognised for championing person-led approaches and for building high-performing teams that deliver real social impact.”

The statement said that under Simms’ leadership, P3 had “grown significantly in its reach and impact, delivering innovative services in homelessness, mental health, criminal justice and social inclusion”.

Simms said: “Charities are at the heart of our communities, and I am committed to ensuring the commission remains fair, balanced and effective in its work.

“As a charity leader myself, I understand the challenges charities face and the importance of regulation that strengthens, rather than stifles, their impact and continues to uphold the trust that charities need to thrive.”

Fraser said he had known Simms for a long time and “could not think of a better person for the job”.

The DCMS said Simms had been appointed to the role as an exceptional appointment without competition, in line with the Cabinet Office’s governance code on public appointments. 

The department said the role was paid at £62,500 per annum. Simms would have been receiving £350 per day worked as a regular member of the board, plus reasonable expenses.

He would have to declare any significant political activity undertaken in the past five years, such as making a recordable donation or standing for election, but there was nothing for him to declare, the DCMS said.