Long standing Leeds charity appoint new CEO

Leeds based charity Simon on the Streets, which supports homeless and vulnerable people across West Yorkshire, has appointed Natalie Moran as CEO.

In her new role, Natalie will oversee the running of the organisation, co-ordinate its outreach support and drive fundraising activities, as well as spearheading the charity’s future development and growth. Natalie will also work closely with other local charities, policy makers and local authorities to help shape the future for the region’s homeless and vulnerable communities. Natalie replaces Simon on the Streets’ previous CEO, Eric Richardson, who has emigrated to California.

Natalie grew up in Leeds and has spent 14 years working in the voluntary sector, predominantly managing drugs and alcohol services across Yorkshire and Humberside. She joins from St Anne’s Community Services, where she was responsible for a wide portfolio of services spanning Leeds, Wakefield and Sheffield. She also worked as part of the Leeds Street Support Team.
Simon on the Streets, which celebrated its twentieth anniversary last year, employs a team of six full time outreach workers who provide practical and emotional support to the homeless and vulnerable throughout Leeds, Bradford and Kirklees.

Natalie said: “This is a really challenging time in which to make the move to Simon on the Streets, with the Covid-19 pandemic making the charity’s work supporting homeless people more important than ever. Although some homeless people are now in temporary accommodation, there is a big question about what happens next, and it’s vital that we help to shape the next chapter and contribute to the decision making process, in order to keep the region’s vulnerable safe.

“I’ve worked with Simon on the Streets a lot in my previous roles and always admired the work the charity does and how it has become a crucial service throughout West Yorkshire. There is now a big opportunity to grow the charity further and possibly expand into other areas.”

Louise Lapish, chair of trustees at Simon on the Streets, said: “Natalie brings a wealth of experience to this role spanning change management, partnership work and performance management, as well as delivering and shaping policies and services. Crucially, she is someone who makes a difference, with a genuine passion for creating positive change for the homeless and vulnerable in our communities, so there’s no doubt she is the ideal person to head up Simon on the Streets and drive the charity forward.”