Youth homelessness charity appoints new CEO

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Communities and also in Health

The UK's largest youth homelessness charity has appointed a new chief executive.

Depaul UK has announced that Martin Houghton-Brown has joined the organisation after leaving fellow charity Missing People, where he has been CEO for the past three years. Whilst in the role, Martin's lobbying work resulted in the establishment of a Home Office Taskforce and the first government strategy for missing persons.

Before working with Missing People, Martin was a deputy director at The Children's Society. His work with the society led to the 'Young Runaways Action Plan'. In 2011 he was appointed to the Office of the Children's Commissioner's inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups (CSEGG).

Martin started as a qualified teacher, but went on to work in communities supporting young people living with complex problems.

Martin said: “Being invited to take on the responsibility as Chief Executive of Depaul UK is a dream come true. Since starting my work with young runaways I have believed that no young person should be at risk on our streets without a safe place to go. Depaul UK is leading the way at working with those young people in greatest need and providing them with the safe places they so desperately need.

"Having worked with a very special team at Missing People I am looking forward to working with the skilled and talented staff and volunteers of Depaul UK to make the UK a place where no young person ever has to sleep in an unsafe place again."

Jonathan Wilkes, Chair of Depaul UK’s Trustees, added: “We are delighted to appoint Martin Houghton-Brown to the role of Depaul UK’s Chief Executive.  Martin impressed all of us – including the Depaul residents involved in the interview process – with his wealth of experience and his passion for supporting young vulnerable people.  He possesses an admiration for what Depaul UK has achieved and a strong desire to help us grow and further develop our work serving homeless young people and we look forward to working with him.  

"On behalf of the Trustees I would also like to thank Paul Marriott for all that he has given over these last eight years at Depaul UK. His leadership, dedication and skill has been an inspiration for which we are extremely grateful.”