CEO

The Role:

Caring in Bristol

The Client:

Caring in Bristol is a local charity committed to ending homelessness in Bristol. Founded in 1987 as Caring at Christmas, they provided seasonal support to individuals experiencing housing insecurity. Over time, their services expanded to offer year-round assistance to young people and adults facing homelessness. In 2013, the Charity was renamed Caring in Bristol, to better reflect their commitment to the community. They provide a wide range of support services, such as:

  • Access to free, safe accommodation: Their ‘Z House’ offers temporary accommodation and support for young people, providing a safe space for up to three months.

  • Youth services: One-on-one support to help young people achieve their full potential and access secure housing.

  • Community-based services: For example, food-led projects to tackle housing insecurity, food poverty and social isolation.

  • Early prevention work: Housing advice, information, and support to move away from a homelessness crisis, while building knowledge and independence.

  • Advocacy: Raising awareness about housing issues and challenging stereotypes about homelessness.

  • Information resources: Distributing a comprehensive guide to homelessness support services in Bristol.

The main challenge of the search was finding someone who could bring autonomous oversight aligned with the Board’s vision. They required a leader who could develop excellent fundraising and communications strategies while building strong relationships with staff, volunteers and supporters. Managing financial sustainability with social impact is a delicate task, which can only be achieved through a harmonious approach from the Board, senior leadership team, and wider organisation.

We utilised a multifaceted approach to identify potential candidates. This included traditional headhunting, targeted advertising, and a comprehensive search of the Moon network, ensuring we explored all avenues. The role attracted a high level of interest from a diverse group of candidates. Gemma conducted in-depth interviews with the most promising individuals to evaluate their leadership qualities, strategic thinking, and their ability to guide Caring in Bristol into the future. One candidate, Mijanou Blech, stood out from the rest. Her extensive experience and impressive interview made her the clear choice. We recommended her to Caring in Bristol, and she was subsequently appointed as CEO after their recruitment process.

Ms Blech has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She has overseen successful outcomes at multiple Charities through expertise in strategic planning, organisational development and fundraising. We were impressed by her dedication to social justice and community engagement. Furthermore, Ms Blech’s financial acumen and track record of inspiring teams position her perfectly to make a difference in the fight against homelessness.

Bristol faces a severe housing crisis, characterised by high property prices and rents, and a shortage of affordable housing. This crisis disproportionately affects young people, who often find themselves in temporary accommodation. The escalating cost of living has further exacerbated the situation, pushing vulnerable individuals closer to homelessness. As a result, support services like Caring in Bristol are experiencing an unprecedented increase in demand.

The Charity was seeking a Chief Executive Officer who could provide visionary leadership and develop impactful strategic and operational plans. They contacted us for assistance with this appointment, based on our track record of finding passionate and experienced leaders. Gemma Wilks, Head of Moon’s Management, Engineering & Technical, led the search campaign.

Gemma Wilks commented:

"Caring in Bristol is an exceptional organisation that makes a huge difference to people’s lives. It’s unsurprising that the vacancy attracted a wide range of qualified candidates. We’re delighted to have placed an experienced and compassionate leader who can help the Charity grow and work towards eliminating homelessness in Bristol.”

Philip Parry, Caring in Bristol Trustee commented:

“Gemma was great from start to finish. She maintained excellent communication with the Board and senior leadership team and demonstrated a clear understanding of our challenges.”

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