Groundswell has seen rapid growth over the past couple of years, with our advocacy and participation work influencing change on an individual, local and national level. On 7th June 2023 we are honoured to be welcoming Michael Chandler as our next CEO:
“It is a privilege to join the Groundswell’s fantastic team of staff and volunteers as their next CEO. The work of Groundswell has inspired me for years, leading in participatory, peer-led, cocreated approaches, amplifying voices and creating policy change led and informed by people with lived experience, particularly around homelessness, health, wellbeing and progression. This work is critical now more than ever, and I look forwards to working with the team, supporting, innovating, informing policy & practice in the future to benefit people with lived experience”
Michael is currently the CEO at Union Chapel; he has over 20 years’ experience working for social justice organisations and has previously held senior roles at Cardboard Citizens and Shelter – both organisations Groundswell collaborate with.
The recruitment process
As part of the recruitment process, as well as interviews with the Board and meeting the Senior Leadership team, Michael was interviewed by a panel of staff and volunteer representatives from Groundswell – one of which was volunteer Peer Advocate Manu:
“It was a really good experience, I’d do it again. I was impressed with Michael; he knows what he’s talking about and the right person for the job. He was very professional.”
On behalf of Groundswell’s Board, Chair of Trustees Jenny Yates says:
“We were inspired by Michael’s passion, commitment and ideas. In his first few months he will be meeting Groundswell’s people and partners as we look to refresh our organisational strategy; the past few years have been challenging but we’re confident Michael can drive forward Groundswell’s impact, with participation at the core”.
We look forward to what’s next for Groundswell. If you’d like to hear from us, sign up to our e-newsletter.