A new Chief Executive has joined our growing team at Cumberland Lodge. Fergus Drake OBE has been appointed to lead our work as an education charity and social enterprise.
Fergus has over 25 years’ experience in senior leadership roles across the for-profit, charity, and social enterprise sectors. Most recently he was CEO of Crown Agents, leading the not-for-profit international development organisation in its significant COVID-19 and Ukraine responses.
Prior to that, Fergus was Executive Director of Global Programmes at Save the Children, leading innovative, evidence-based programmes responding to the needs of over 20 million children across 60 countries. He has also worked at senior levels across the UK and overseas with Deloitte, the Tony Blair Institute, HM Treasury, and Tearfund.
A new Chair of our Board of Trustees has also been appointed as of the beginning of November. John Lotherington, formerly our Vice Chair, will lead the Board after the previous Chair, The Rt. Hon the Baroness (Usha) Prashar of Runnymede CBE, stepped down in October.
John Lotherington, Chair of Trustees at Cumberland Lodge, said:
“I am delighted that we have appointed Fergus to be the next CEO of Cumberland Lodge. In a world of rising populism and polarisation, the need for young people to come together from all walks of life to question, challenge, and understand some of the most complex social issues of our time is critical. Fergus has the experience, energy, and commitment to take us to the next level of impact in our work to empower young people as ethical leaders and active citizens.”
Chief Executive Fergus Drake OBE commented:
“It’s a great privilege to join Cumberland Lodge, and I am really looking forward to working alongside all its wonderful, committed staff. Our work to grow the next generation of ethical youth leaders is vital at a time of rising social division exacerbated by climate change, growing conflict, and media disinformation. Cumberland Lodge has the history, expertise, and convening power to play a critical role in empowering future leaders to create a more peaceful, open, and inclusive society, one conversation at a time.”