Interim Chair appointed to the Charity Commission for England and Wales

The Secretary of State has appointed Mark Simms OBE as Interim Chair of the Charity Commission. This interim appointment has been made while the process for finding the next Chair is completed.

Mark Simms OBE

Appointed for a six month term from 25 April 2025 or until a new Chair is appointed, whichever is sooner. 

Mark Simms is the Chief Executive Officer of P3 Charity, a national organisation that supports some of the most vulnerable people across the UK. Under his leadership, P3 has grown significantly in its reach and impact, delivering innovative services in homelessness, mental health, criminal justice, and social inclusion.

Mark has more than 25 years' experience in the voluntary and public sectors, with a deep understanding of how to lead purpose-driven organisations through complex and changing environments. He is widely recognised for championing person-led approaches and for building high-performing teams that deliver real social impact. He has contributed to several national advisory boards focused on systems change, public service reform, and tackling inequality.

Mark joined the Charity Commission as a Board Member in March 2023 and was awarded an OBE in 2024 for services to social enterprise.

Remuneration and Governance Code

The Chair of the Charity Commission is remunerated £62,500 per annum. This interim appointment was made by the Secretary of State as an exceptional appointment without competition, following consultation with the Commissioner for Public Appointments, in accordance with the Cabinet Office's Governance Code on Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Mark Simms has not declared any significant political activity. 

DCMS has around 400 regulated Public Appointment roles across 42 Public Bodies, we encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Applications for the next substantive Chair of the Charity Commission for England and Wales will open soon, to receive a notification when applications open please create an account on the HM Government Public Appointments Website.