Depaul UK (CSAN member charity) has chosen Mike Thiedke to be its next Chief Executive Officer.
Mike, who is currently Director of Public Engagement at children’s rights charity Plan International UK, will start on 1 May 2018. He has more than 13 years’ experience in senior positions in the third sector at national and international level.
From 2009-13, he was International Head of Child Sponsorship & Supporter Care at ActionAid International. During that period he served as International Director for Fundraising & Communications in London and as interim Executive Director for ActionAid USA in Washington DC.
Before that, Mike, who holds a doctorate in Children’s Rights and Intercultural Education, had a five-year career with the United Nations where his roles included being an advocate for young people as agents for change.
Depaul UK Chair Suzanne McCarthy said: “Mike has a record of inspirational and strategic leadership producing and implementing innovative and effective solutions to organisational issues. He has strong commercial experience and an in-depth understanding of the voluntary sector. Mike’s whole professional life is characterised by a desire to make a difference to young people’s lives.”
Mike Thiedke said: “I am hugely excited to become the next CEO of Depaul UK, an organisation that has tirelessly, passionately and very effectively worked with and for the most disadvantaged young people in the UK to help end youth homelessness. Considering the rise in hidden homelessness across the country, this work at the coalface of social policy and youth services has never been more critical.
“After having spent most of my career working in the international development sector, I am very keen to turn my energy to such a pressing domestic issue, working for an organisation that sees the potential in a young person as opposed to only the problems. Young people can change the world if we let them – and Depaul UK is committed to helping them every step of the way.”
