The Charity Commission, the independent regulator of charities for England and Wales, has appointed David Holdsworth as its new Chief Operating Officer. Holdsworth joined the commission as head of operations in August 2015.

He has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors at an executive leadership level. He spent over a decade at the Home Office, including in senior operational roles in the Immigration Service, where he led several large UK wide transformation projects. He also held various policy roles in the Home Office and was a deputy chief caseworker.

More recently, Holdsworth has spent five years in the private sector in senior executive positions, including as managing director and partnership director at two different FTSE 100 companies.

The chief operating officer is accountable for all of the commission's case work, except for that involving the highest risks, and for its 'digital by default' agenda. Driving maximum efficiency and effectiveness in the commission's frontline services and at the same time ensuring excellence in customer service is a key objective of this role, says the Commission. The COO leads the teams that carry out:

  •   assessment and allocation of all incoming work to the commission

  •   registration of new charities

  •   permissions and consents casework and some higher risk work (short of a formal inquiry, which is carried out in Investigations, Monitoring and Enforcement)

  •   the annual return programme

  •   the commission’s web presence (via GOV.UK)

On taking up his new appointment, Holdsworth said: “In my first few months at the commission, I have been impressed with the people that I have met across the directorate. I am really looking forward to leading the teams through the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”

David Holdsworth takes over from CEO Paula Sussex, who has also been acting COO. Paula Sussex said: "I am very pleased to welcome David to the commission. He completes our senior team and his expertise will be invaluable.

"David has already contributed greatly by leading changes to the way we manage and oversee our casework. He will take the lead on our wider digital strategy to improve customer experience and increase operational capacity".