Our CEO, Duncan McAuley, has announced he will step down from his role as leader of Action Foundation in the spring of 2026.
He said working here had been ‘a privilege and a joy’ but wanted to take time to travel with his wife and children.
“I have loved being part of an organisation that is making a tangible difference, and I have cherished the opportunity to work alongside such passionate and committed colleagues, supporters, and partners,” he said.
“My decision to leave comes from a desire to spend a period of time with my young family and I will leave Action Foundation with a heavy heart. We’re still finalising our plans, but we’re excited to take this time together as a family and explore new things.”
“Over the past five years I’ve grown and learnt so much and been continually inspired by the work we do and the people we serve. I am incredibly proud of all we’ve achieved together and all that is still to come.”
We will begin the process of recruiting a new Chief Executive shortly. Duncan said he was reassured by the excellence and commitment of Action Foundation’s Board of Trustees and the existing staff team.
“I’m sure that Action Foundation will continue to go from strength to strength under their and my successor’s leadership,” he added.
Chair’s tribute
Chair of Trustees, David Lyall, thanked Duncan for his wonderful leadership and said he had loved working with him:
“Duncan really has made my role as Chair a very easy and enjoyable one and I will miss working with him greatly, although I know that our friendship will remain as strong as ever,” he said.
“At the same time, I fully support his decision to fulfil what I know is a longstanding dream to travel and spend more time with his family. Action Foundation has faced many opportunities and challenges in the last five years and we have come through them all to a place of greater strength than I can remember in terms of our services, our connection with clients, the strength of our staff and volunteer teams, not to mention our finances being in good order in what is a very challenging economic climate.
“The Trustees are now giving our full attention to the process of recruiting a new CEO, which we will be doing with support from an outstanding recruitment specialist. We will be welcoming both local and national applicants from within the refugee sector and wider.
“If you know of anyone who might be appropriate, then please do encourage them to apply.”
David offered special thanks to all our stakeholders and friends for their continuing support. “That support is so essential to our shared commitment to stand for truth and justice, where necessary to go against the tide, and to ensure that we continue to welcome and empower refugees and those seeking asylum to overcome exclusion and play their full part in a prosperous and vibrant North East of England.”
