Tuesday 06 May 2025

The Fawcett Society is pleased to announce the appointment of Penny East as its new Chief Executive. 

Penny takes up the post following the departure of Jemima Olchawski earlier this year. She succeeds interim Chief Executive Martha Hannan, who has led the organisation since February. As the UK’s leading membership charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights, Fawcett works to create a society in which women and girls—of all backgrounds and identities—can fulfil their potential and thrive. 

A Track Record of Advocacy and Leadership
Penny brings over 15 years of experience in the charity sector. Most recently, she was a director at Think Ahead, a mental health charity advocating for a social approach to mental health provision within the NHS. Her earlier roles include leading communications and campaigns at SafeLives, the national domestic abuse charity, where she helped shape the Domestic Abuse Bill 2021, established a survivor network, and launched the UK’s first national domestic abuse perpetrator programme. 

A Time for Bold Feminist Leadership
On her appointment, Penny said: 

“There has never been a more important time to be a feminist, and I am delighted to join the Fawcett Society. Progress towards equality isn’t guaranteed. It takes the hard work of Fawcett, the dedication of our members, and the support of the wider women and girls sector to call out unfairness and misogyny and to make the world better for all of us. I am looking forward to working with the excellent staff team, trustees, and members to build on the incredible heritage and history of the Fawcett Society—and to take it from strength to strength for the good of women and girls and our wider society.”

Support from the Board
Harriet Harman, Chair of Fawcett’s Board of Trustees, welcomed Penny’s appointment: 

“Penny’s passion for equality is clear and her commitment to protect and advance the rights of women shines through. Along with the rest of the board, I look forward to working with her to lead Fawcett’s campaign for women to be fully represented, to be paid fairly, and to thrive in a society which accepts that we are equal to men.”