Milla Mazilu announced as new Chair for Large Charities SIG at the Association of Chairs

Milla Mazilu, Chair of Trustees for the Association for Project Management (APM), has been announced as the new Chair for the Large Charities Special Interest Group at the Association of Chairs (AoC).

AoC is a charitable organisation dedicated to supporting the chairs of charities and non-profits to lead their organisations well. Milla will be succeeding Helen Baker, former Chair of homeless charity Shelter, as the Chair for the Large Charities Special Interest Group (SIG), which focuses on creating a valuable and confidential space for AoC members to share experiences, questions, and encouragement to the crucial role of chairing some of the biggest charitable organisations in the UK.

Milla said "I’m delighted to be volunteering with the Association of Chairs. With Helen Baker, the group’s current Chair, stepping down, I am looking forward to building upon her accomplishments. Although we will miss Helen's guidance and energy, I am confident that, together, we can continue to make a positive impact in our communities."

Helen Baker became chair of the Large Charities SIG in 2018. Highlights of her tenure include working together for mutual support and sharing ideas about how best to support CEOs and wider organisations across the Covid pandemic and the shared work as chairs about what ‘good’ regulation looks like and then taking this to a productive discussion with the Charity Commission.

Helen said: "I am particularly pleased about how Milla will add to the already rich diversity of experience around the table. She clearly combines knowledge of operational management on the ground with a real interest in how large and complex systems work. Her willingness to take on the chair of this network will be very much appreciated by colleagues."

In terms of future plans, Milla believes the areas for the group to address include the increasing need for charities and non-profits to adapt to unexpected challenges, the role of technology, data, and analysis in improving outcomes, and board dynamics and executive-to-chair relationships, with a focus on fostering open communication and mutual respect.

Milla said: "I was drawn in by the prospect of connecting with others and learning from their experiences and insights. I am excited about the opportunity to volunteer with AoC and to work with peers in other charities, using our collective experiences and passion to lead resilient organisations that bring about meaningful change in the world. Although it is very early days, I look forward to helping address the challenges that we have discussed during our meetings."

Whether you’re a chair from a large or a small charity or non-profit, the Association of Chairs is here to help. Find out more about membership.