The new Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity, has been announced with current Campaigns Director Richard Angell being appointed by the charity’s Board of Trustees.
Richard will take over on Wednesday 1 March when current CEO, Ian Green OBE, steps down at the end of February after seven years in the role.
Richard joined Terrence Higgins Trust as its interim Head of Policy and Public Affairs in 2020 before becoming Campaigns Director and now Chief Executive.
A key part of his role as campaigns director has been leading on a year’s worth of activity to mark 40 years since the death of the charity’s namesake Terry Higgins, who was the first named person to die of an AIDS-related illness in the UK.
Other key successes include an integral role in securing £20million Government funding for opt-out HIV testing in emergency departments in areas of very high HIV prevalence and the removal of discriminatory exclusions in blood donation, which affected both gay and bisexual men and those primarily from the UK’s black communities.
In his time as leading on campaigns, he has also overseen the charity’s response to the recent mpox (monkeypox) outbreak and work to successfully overturn discriminatory and out-dated policies restricting pilots and forbidding service in the military.
A graduate of the University of Birmingham, Richard previously worked for think tank Progress and with political leaders in both the UK and Australia. He also has a history of providing policy, communications and fundraising strategy advice to organisational leaders across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
Jonathan McShane, Chair at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: 'Following a robust recruitment process, we’re thrilled to announce Richard Angell as the new Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust. Richard’s talent, passion and drive mean he’s the right person to ensure the charity makes the progress against our big goals – ending new HIV cases by 2030, ensuring everyone living with HIV is living well and tackling the acute inequalities in sexual and reproductive health.'
Richard Angell, newly appointed Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: 'It is an honour and privilege to take on this role of a lifetime leading a charity which has changed lives for the past four decades – and which continues to do so. Terrence Higgins Trust is still here today because we’re adaptable, user-led and, crucially, quick to respond to the most pressing of issues in HIV, sexual and reproductive health.
'While the organisation doubles down on the goal to be the first country to end new HIV cases, by 2030, we will ensure our services are here for everyone living with HIV and that sexual and reproductive healthcare is the national priority it should be. I’m very excited about the future and hugely thankful to Ian Green OBE, the whole Terrence Higgins Trust team and our forebears who have worked for 40 years to change our country for the better.'
Ian Green OBE, outgoing Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: 'Richard has had a remarkable impact on all aspects of Terrence Higgins Trust’s work since joining two and a half years ago. We’ve worked closely together on many key issues and I’ve seen up close Richard at his best as a passionate problem-solver who gets things done. His appointment ensures a seamless transition and that we won’t take our foot off the gas for a second.'
