Hestia has appointed Dame Moira Gibb DBE as its Chair of Trustees. She succeeds Terrie Alafat CBE, who is standing down at the end of her five-year term.

Dame Moira brings with her a depth of experience in social care and working with people experiencing disadvantage. She is a qualified social worker and worked in Preston and Newcastle before holding senior roles at the London boroughs of Ealing, Kensington and Chelsea, and Camden, where she served as the Chief Executive from 2003 to 2012.

Dame Moira has held Non-Executive roles at NHS England, the UK Statistics Authority, NESTA, and Skills for Care which she chaired for eight years.

Hestia provides vital support for adults and children in times of crisis. This includes survivors of modern slavery and domestic abuse, and people with mental health difficulties. Last year, the charity supported over 15,000 people across London and the Southeast.

Patrick Ryan, Chief Executive of Hestia said:

“We are pleased to welcome Dame Moira to the team. Her vast experience in high quality service delivery, managing and leading change and governance will be invaluable as we continue to strive to broaden and deepen our impact in the face of ever-increasing challenges. We are excited to work with her as we continue to innovate and improve, in order to better serve the people who use our services. 

“We also want to say a huge thank you to Terrie, who has worked tirelessly with the Board and Directors to steer the charity through unprecedented circumstances, including a global pandemic and a cost-of-living crisis. We are extremely grateful to her for her outstanding dedication and passion to help people facing crisis and hardship across the capital.”

Commenting on her appointment, Dame Moira Gibb DBE said:

“I am delighted to be joining Hestia as its new Chair of Trustees and to have the opportunity to continue Terrie Alafat’s excellent work. My long experience in Housing and Social Services has impressed upon me the life-changing impact that high-quality support can have. So, with considerable challenges facing many across the capital today, the services Hestia delivers have a vital role to play.

“I’m honoured to be taking on this position in an organisation that places such an emphasis on the importance of values, and empowering those who it supports. I look forward to working closely with the Board and Executive Team to make sure we can reach even more Londoners in need of support.”