Philippa Gitlin is new Director of Caritas-social action

The voice of the Catholic Church on social justice and care in England and Wales has appointed a new Director. Philippa Gitlin becomes the new Director of Caritas-social action with immediate effect.

Philippa Gitlin was formerly Chief Executive of Family Service Units - a national charity providing family support services to socially excluded children and families from 1999 to May 2006 when it was taken over by the Family Welfare Association. Previously she was Director of Fundraising for five years at Depaul Trust, a national charity supporting homeless young people. Prior to her appointment as Director, Philippa was Interim Director at Caritas-social action from June 2006.

"I am delighted to have Philippa as the newly appointed Director of Caritas-social action,” says its Chair, the Right Reverend Terence Brain, Bishop of Salford. “Following the recent review of Caritas-social action, the Trustees feel that Philippa will be very able to carry forward the focus to be given to Caritas-social action, building on the foundations laid by her predecessors."

“I very much welcome Philippa's appointment,” added Terry Connor, Director of The Catholic Children’s Society (South East). “ She is an articulate advocate for Catholic care, has sound knowledge and experience of the wider voluntary sector and is fully conversant with Church structures. Caritas-social action will flourish under her leadership."

Philippa is also a trustee of the National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations (NCVCCO); Chair of Governors of Swiss Cottage School, a local authority Beacon Special Needs school in Camden, London; Member of Council of Queen’s College, London (an independent day school for girls); trustee of a St Vincent’s Family Centre in Victoria, London, and a member of the steering group of Groundbreakers, a network of women chief executives in the voluntary sector.

(Source: Catholic Communications Network England and Wales)