Polly Neate announced as new CEO of homelessness charity Shelter

Polly Neate has been announced as the new CEO of housing and homelessness charity Shelter. She will take up her position on August 14th, 2017.

Polly joins Shelter after four years as CEO of Women’s Aid, the grassroots federation of domestic violence charities that provides life-saving services and campaigns against domestic violence.

During this time, Polly dramatically raised the profile of domestic violence against women in the British conscience through prominent commentary and tireless campaigning, resulting in legislation to create a new criminal offence of coercive and controlling behaviour, more than £30m new funding for domestic abuse refuges, and a review of the way the family courts treat survivors of domestic abuse and their children.

Polly said: “Since Shelter was founded 50 years ago it has done some amazing things. From helping millions of people through its services every year, to recently putting the country’s lack of affordable homes centre stage and securing key campaigning victories like the bans on revenge evictions and letting fees.

Prior to this, Polly was Executive Director of External Relations and Communications at Action for Children, one of the UK’s largest charities. And before that, she was editor of Community Care, the major weekly magazine for the UK’s childcare and social workers.

“But the sad truth is that homelessness is a growing problem in this country. Almost quarter of a million people are homeless in the UK right now, and shockingly half of these are children. This simply isn’t good enough.

“That’s why I’m so thrilled to be joining Shelter at such an important time, to work with its world class staff to make its mission of ending bad housing and homelessness a reality. It’s an honour to join a such a pioneering organisation that I’ve long admired to help take its work to the next level.”

At Women’s Aid, alongside campaigning and raising awareness of domestic abuse, Polly also oversees a federation of hundreds of specialist domestic abuse services, a 24-hour national helpline and online and telephone support for women escaping and recovering from domestic abuse. At Shelter, she will oversee similar programmes including advice, support and legal services that help millions of people every year.

Throughout Polly’s career, she has influenced government and has campaigned for policy change and social justice for more than 20 years. She won several awards as a journalist and editor, both for journalism and campaigning. She has closely advised both governments and oppositions over many years.

Sir Derek Myers, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Shelter, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Polly to Shelter. Her impressive expertise and fresh thinking will help the organisation develop and implement a range of exciting services and groundbreaking campaigns.

“Shelter won’t stop until there’s a safe, secure, affordable home for everyone and we’re excited to have Polly’s skills, experience and passion to help us achieve that goal.”