The Chief Executive Officer of St John’s Foundation, a community charity in Bath and North East Somerset, David Hobdey, has announced his retirement and will formally be stepping down later this month after six years in the position.
Catharine Brown has been appointed as Interim CEO in a move that coincides with the charity’s 850th anniversary and also the second half of its 10-year strategic plan.
Having joined St John’s Foundation in 2016 as Finance Director, David became CEO in 2018. During his tenure, he was instrumental in launching a new 10-year strategy for the charity in 2020.
This extended the organisation’s work to help under-served children in the region with the ambitious goal of narrowing the academic attainment gap. Early data indicates encouraging improvements in literacy levels in primary school-age children and improving speech and language development in pre-school age children.
David has also continued to lead on the charity’s core work to support older adults in the community, including through St John’s almshouse accommodation and wider initiatives, as well as supporting individuals at a point of crisis.
He said, “I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to be part of this charity for eight years, and to lead it for the past six, including into this milestone year for St John’s which saw Queen Camilla join us in her capacity as Patron in a special service at Bath Abbey in February.
“It is humbling to have played a part in the history of this vitally important local institution. My decision to retire at this juncture has been long in planning and with the extraordinary senior sector experience in my interim successor, Catharine, the transition of leadership couldn’t be smoother.”
Catharine Brown, soon to be Interim CEO of St John’s Foundation
Catharine joined the charity as a trustee in 2023 and has more than 20 years of experience in leadership roles at household name organisations, as well as marketing, fundraising, Board and Trustee positions within local, national and international charities, including as interim and permanent CEO.
Following an early career in marketing, including positions at Marks and Spencer and The Economist, Brown pivoted to the charity sector in 2005. She has held long-term interim Director roles at five national charities including Young Lives vs Cancer and Bath-based charities Ripple Effect (previously Send a Cow) and Designability, where she was permanent CEO for over four years, delivering transformational change for disabled people across the UK.
In addition to holding several interim Director roles, Catharine has also established a consultancy business working with Trustee Boards and leaders to help them achieve greater impact.
She has been living in Bath for over 20 years and is well-versed with the city’s challenges, opportunities and networks.
Catharine said, “I am delighted to step into the interim CEO role at St John’s Foundation and play my part in guiding this important charity as we move into the second half of our strategy.
“The eight months during which I have been trustee have allowed me to build up a detailed knowledge of St John’s work and the many stakeholders involved.
“My own long-standing experience of working and living in Bath will be extremely helpful and make the transition with David as seamless as possible, which is positive for our beneficiaries and all our stakeholders.”
The Board of Trustees at St John’s Foundation added, “We wish to thank David for his leadership and the important contribution he has made to the charity during his tenure. We are also very excited to welcome Catharine into the Interim CEO position.
“Catharine is a highly respected figure in the Bath community, and in the charity sector nationally. We were delighted when she joined the Board of Trustees last year and her energy, experience and acumen will be a real strength to our organisation.”
Pictured: (Top of page) David Hobdey, outgoing CEO of St John’s Foundation
