Fight for Peace has announced that its UK Managing Director, Jenny Oklikah, is to take over as Chief Executive.

The new CEO will formally succeed James Baderman, who has spent more than a decade with the organisation, at the end of the month.

Jenny (pictured below) joined Fight for Peace in July 2019 and has previously held roles at the London Borough of Newham as Head of Community Safety, at the Home Office as Head of Youth Crime and Early Offending.

James initially worked as a consultant for Fight for Peace in 2008, and then joined the organisation permanently in 2010 to support the creation and building of its international training programme. This programme has trained over 180 organisations around the world to date and has grown into a community of practice in the form of the ‘Fight for Peace Alliance’ in which organisations from 18 countries share knowledge and expertise.

James is leaving London to begin a new life in the countryside with his young family.

Fight for Peace founder Luke Dowdney said: “James has made an enormous contribution to Fight for Peace. He has shown strong leadership, a steady hand for decision-making, and a real ability to listen to all parties before any course of action is taken.

“We thank James wholeheartedly for his wonderful service and total dedication to Fight for Peace for such a long time, and are greatly indebted to him for all he has achieved with us. We wish him and his family well in the next stage of their lives and we look forward to continuing to see them regularly as part of our Fight for Peace family.”

James said: “It has been a huge privilege to work at Fight for Peace over the last 10 years.

“Thank you to the staff, the young people, and our partners for the inspiring energy and commitment they bring to the world and that I felt every day. Fight for Peace is a special place that stands in solidarity with young people, especially in their fight for social justice. I know that with Jenny at the helm the organisation will reach new heights.”

To find out more about Fight for Peace, visit its page on the ConnectSport directory. To add your organisation for free, contact hello@connectsport.co.uk.