Belinda Phipps leaves NCT

“After fifteen amazing years at NCT I have decided that it is time for a change and a new challenge.  I am so proud of what the charity achieved during my time as Chief Executive. Income has increased by over 500 per cent, we have delivered key improvements for all parents across the UK and millions of people have had a better experience of becoming parents because of NCT.  I leave the charity stronger than it has ever been.

“I have been lucky to work with amazing people over the years and I want to thank all the staff, practitioners, volunteers, members and trustees who have been part of making the changes with me as well as the many parenting charities and stakeholders we have partnered with.  It is now time for someone else to take NCT to the next level and I wish them every success in this vital work. Having made my decision to move on I intend to leave soon to ensure the charity can focus on the future."

NCT Chair, Beryl Hobson said:

“We would like to thank Belinda for her work for NCT over the last 15 years. She has led NCT from a small loss making charity through to the strong position we are in today with a clear vision for the future.

“She is a force of energy for the charity, taking us through many difficult challenges as we grew and changed. Not only did the charity grow in financial terms under her leadership but we have grown in influence and reach.  As a result of her work we now have a much bigger vision for our future, a stronger team and are in a good place to implement our plans. We wish her well for the future.”

The board has begun the process to appoint a new Chief Executive. In the meantime Joseph Lowe, Director of Corporate Resources and Sally Horrox, Marketing and Corporate Communications Director are acting as Interim Chief Executive Officers.

 During her time as NCT Chief Executive, Belinda Phipps helped lead the charity to secure major change for parents and the organisation, including :

• Turning around the finances of the charity, and increasing income by 500 per cent
• Developing strategies to ensure that parents needs are at the heart of everything NCT does
• Setting up large scale services which are both evidence based and personalised
• Achieving important legislative and policy changes in maternity care and parenting (including ensuring women have the right to breastfeed in public; ensuring women could eat and drink during labour; helping to ban the chemical BPA from bottles; and for clamping of the cord to wait for at least a minute after birth)
• Creating a sea change in the environment for birth including helping to bring about new NICE guidelines to support a women’s right to choose where she gives birth
• Much more recognition for the role of fathers as equal parents deserving of full respect and support