End of Life charity Marie Curie appoints Maria Novell as Chief Fundraising, Communications and Marketing Officer

Maria Novell will be leaving her role as Fundraising and Commercial Director at Guide Dogs at the end of November after 14 transformative years at the charity.

Maria will take the role of Chief Fundraising, Communications and Marketing Officer*at end of life charity Marie Curie from 13 December, replacing Nicky Bishop, Interim Executive Director of Fundraising and Engagement.

Guide Dogs Chief Executive Tom Wright said:
"Maria has been one of the most successful fundraisers in the sector over the last decade initially developing individual giving at Guide Dogs, with the unparalleled success of Sponsor A Puppy, and more recently as Fundraising and Commercial Director, all resulting in Guide Dogs becoming a top 10 UK Fundraising Charity. During her time, Guide Dogs has more than doubled its income and become one of the most efficient charities to raise funds.

"Maria has developed an outstanding fundraising team who will miss her experience and drive, but who have learnt from the best so are well poised to build on her success.

"Maria has also contributed in so many other ways leading strategic programmes for the Charity and will be sorely missed as a member of the Executive Team. We appreciate the opportunity for career development in her new role and can only wish Marie Curie the same success Maria delivered at Guide Dogs."

Novell has worked in PR, Marketing and Fundraising roles her entire career and prior to Guide Dogs worked at the RNLI and the British Liver Trust. She said:
"I have been incredibly lucky to have worked at Guide Dogs for 14 years, with a hugely supportive Executive Team and Trustees. That support has enabled the charity to flourish in fundraising, testing and growing new income streams. I am proud to have been part of the team that more than doubled income and to have worked with the Executive Team to increase the services we offer to help more people with sight loss live the life they choose than ever before.

"I am delighted to be joining Marie Curie - at such a critical time for health and social care. I have long admired the vital care and support that Marie Curie provides to people at the end of life and was hugely impressed by the way the charity responded during the pandemic. Everyone at end of life deserves the best possible experience and I look forward to working with the Executive Leadership Team to deliver an ambitious new strategy and with the hugely talented team in Fundraising, Communications, Marketing and Digital to increase the brand profile, be a leading voice on dying, death and bereavement, and grow sustainable income streams."

Marie Curie Chief Executive Matthew Reed said:
"I am thrilled to be welcoming Maria to Marie Curie and look forward to all that she will bring to our work and mission. Maria's strong experience and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and build towards a better future, where everyone has the best possible end of life care and experience.

"Too many in our society fall through the cracks when they need support at the end of life. With more people dying each year, it is vital that we continue to grow our income, grow our much needed services, lead a national conversation on end of life experience, and help them prepare better for death and bereavement.

"I personally want to thank Nicky Bishop for everything she has done as interim Executive Director of Fundraising and Engagement, and to thank the Fundraising and Engagement team for their incredible achievements despite the many challenges of the last eighteen months.

"We very much look forward to welcoming Maria to Marie Curie in December."

Guide Dogs will be announcing succession plans shortly.

Ends

Notes to editor:

* Marie Curie's Chief Fundraising, Marketing and Communications Officer oversees all areas of fundraising, including retail and online shops, external communications, marketing and digital

Contacts:

Marie Curie Press Office: media@mariecurie.org.uk / 0845 073 8699

Guide Dogs: Charlotte Speedy, charlotte.speedy@guidedogs.org.uk / 07801 215001

About Marie Curie
Marie Curie is the UK's leading end of life charity.  The charity provides essential frontline nursing and hospice care for people with any terminal illness, a free support line and a wealth of information and support on all aspects of dying, death and bereavement. It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK. Marie Curie is committed to sharing its expertise to improve quality of care and ensuring that everyone has a good end of life experience. Marie Curie is calling for recognition and sustainable funding of end of life care and bereavement support.

National Day of Reflection - 23 March
An opportunity for the Nation to reflect, remember and celebrate the lives of everyone that died during the pandemic – from Covid and other causes. The charity believes it is important to talk more openly about dying, death and bereavement to improve experiences at end of life and to help reduce the lasting effects of grief.

Please note we are 'Marie Curie' (not 'Marie Curie Cancer Care')
mariecurie.org.uk
facebook.com/MarieCurieUK
twitter.com/mariecurieuk
instagram.com/mariecurieuk

About Guide Dogs
Guide Dogs is here to help the two million people in the UK who are living with sight loss to live the life they choose. Children and adults. Friends and family. Our expert staff, volunteers and life-changing dogs are here to help people affected by sight loss live actively, independently and well. Founded in 1934, following our first partnership in 1931, we are a charity that is almost entirely dependent on donations. Find out more at www.guidedogs.org.uk