Former Wakefield MP Mary Creagh appointed CEO of charity

Former Wakefield MP Mary Creagh has been appointed CEO of a national charity.
Ms Creagh, who lost her seat to Conservative Imran Ahmad Khan in December's election, will begin her role as Chief Executive Officer of Living Streets in September.Ms Creagh, who lost her seat to Conservative Imran Ahmad Khan in December's election, will begin her role as Chief Executive Officer of Living Streets in September.
Ms Creagh, who lost her seat to Conservative Imran Ahmad Khan in December's election, will begin her role as Chief Executive Officer of Living Streets in September.

Ms Creagh, who lost her seat to Conservative Imran Ahmad Khan in December's election, will begin her role as Chief Executive Officer of Living Streets in September.

Founded in 1929, Living Streets aims to encourage people to walk for all local journeys, and describes itself as a "beacon for walking".

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Mary Creagh said: “I am thrilled to join Living Streets as it fulfils its historic mission to create a walking nation. Millions of people have recently reconnected with walking and it has been a real comfort and lifeline during lockdown. But in too many places, our streets are not fit for purpose.

“I look forward to working with staff, supporters and Trustees to put walking at the heart of the nation’s green recovery. We need better streets so that more people from all walks of life choose walking.”

The appointment comes after Joe Irvin OBE retired from the role in March 2020 following Living Streets’ 90th anniversary. Jenni Wiggle has been acting as Interim CEO during this time.

Mary will start her role on 1 September, 2020.

During her 14 years as Wakefield's MP, Ms Creagh served as Shadow Cabinet Minister and Chair of the government's Environmental Audit Committee. She is currently a Visiting Professor at Cranfield University and Chair of Responsible Business Practice at Lexington Communications.

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Dame Jane Roberts, Chair of Living Streets, said: “In Mary we have found someone with exactly the right mix of skills and enthusiasm to lead Living Streets and take us to new heights as we look ahead to what we can achieve by our centenary year.

"Mary has a wealth of experience in campaigning on transport, public health and environmental issues at an international, national and local level.

“Living Streets inspires and enables millions of people to walk more every year through its UK-wide projects and campaigns.

"Mary joins a dedicated, enthusiastic and award-winning team at a time when our current funding is secure and there are fantastic opportunities to expand our work.

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“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our Senior Director, Jenni Wiggle for acting as Interim CEO during this time. Jenni has ensured an incredibly smooth transition despite exceptional circumstances that none of us could have expected.”

The recruitment process has been led by David Fielding, MBE, Managing Partner at Attenti.

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