Released on: 17 September 2024
NCT is delighted to announce that Joelle Warren MBE has been appointed as the charity's new Chair by the Board of Trustees.
The move comes following the news shared in March that Stephanie Maurel will be standing down as Chair of NCT at the end of the charity’s October AGM 2024.
Joelle was selected following an open and rigorous selection process run in partnership with search firm Starfish, after the announcement that Joelle has recently stepped down from her role as Executive Chair of Warren Partners, the executive search firm she founded over 25 years ago.
Joelle already holds a number of public roles, including Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire and Lay Canon of Chester Cathedral. She established Cheshire’s first Community Foundation where she was Founding Chair and she is a non-executive director on a hospitality group of companies, alongside being a trustee for a local youth charity.
Joelle is a respected business leader, holding roles on the CBI’s SME Council and is Deputy Chair of the North West Business Leadership Team. She was awarded an MBE in 2016 for services to business. She has previously held roles as Deputy Chair of Manchester Metropolitan University and was appointed by the Prime Minister to chair the Crown Nominations Commission for the appointment of the Archbishop of York.
Commenting on her appointment, Joelle Warren MBE said: “I’m excited to join NCT at such a pivotal time. Having benefitted from NCT’s services when I was pregnant with both of my sons, I’ve been an advocate for over 30 years. I know the way in which NCT delivers support for parents has evolved over that time, and maternity services face increasing pressures, but one thing remains the same; NCT exists to answer a deep need from new parents for support at a time of significant change in their lives.
"Parenthood is a transformative and often challenging time, and every family, regardless of their background or circumstances, needs support which is relevant, respectful and readily available.
"In an era where disparities in healthcare and support are growing, NCT has a powerful role to play, to bridge the gaps. I’m inspired by NCT’s commitment to inclusion and its work to ensure that every new parent feels confident, connected and safe at this critical time in their lives. It’s not just about delivering services, trusted information and support – it’s about building stronger, more connected communities of new and expectant parents everywhere.”
Angela McConville, Chief Executive of NCT said: “I’ve been struck by Joelle’s passion for helping others, her desire to learn, her commitment to making things better for every new and expectant parent, and the way she is focussed on supporting us deliver even more impact.
"Joelle is a values-driven leader with a commitment to equity and inclusion, which stood out from the moment we met her.
"I look forward to working with her to expand our reach further to the millions of expectant and new parents who rely on our trusted information, support and services at a time when the UK’s maternity system is in crisis.
"Together, we will work towards our vision – that everyone who becomes a parent feels confident, connected and safe. Getting this right will have long-lasting and far-reaching benefits, not just for parents, but also for babies, children, families, and our whole society.”
NCT’s Board of Trustees approved Joelle’s appointment on 12 September. She will officially become a Trustee and Chair at NCT’s AGM on 16 October 2024. At the end of the AGM the current Chair, Stephanie Maurel, will step down as Chair, and as a Trustee, after seven years' service.
