Lead Coeliac UK as Chief Executive — drive transformation, influence healthcare and policy, grow impact and help create a world without coeliac disease.
Who we are
Coeliac UK is the UK’s only charity for people affected by coeliac disease and everyone who needs to live gluten-free. We provide trusted information and support, champion better diagnosis, improve access to safe gluten free food, and drive the research and advocacy needed to improve lives today while moving closer to a cure.
Our mission is clear: no life should be limited by coeliac disease. Every role at Coeliac UK contributes to that purpose, whether through diagnosis and equality, support and access, research and advocacy, or the enabling work that helps our teams deliver lasting change for our members and beneficiaries.
About the role
This is an amazing opportunity to lead one of the UK’s most respected health charities through a period of transformation. Coeliac UK has a clear strategic direction, an ambitious and engaged Board, an outstanding reputation across healthcare, research and industry, and a passionate team committed to improving the lives of people affected by coeliac disease. The next Chief Executive won’t be asked to write another strategy; they will bring it to life.
As Chief Executive, you will lead the organisation, creating the pace, focus and momentum needed to turn ambition into lasting impact. You will unite and inspire people behind a shared vision, strengthen organisational performance, build a high-performing and collaborative culture, diversify income, and ensure Coeliac UK is financially resilient for the future. At the same time, you will elevate the charity’s influence, championing the needs of people affected by coeliac disease with government, the NHS, researchers, industry and partners. This is an opportunity to shape the future of an organisation with enormous potential; leading meaningful change, embracing innovation and ensuring Coeliac UK has an even greater impact for generations to come.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for an inspiring, emotionally intelligent and values-led leader with a proven track record of delivering organisational transformation. Whether your experience has been gained within the charity sector, a membership organisation, healthcare, public service or another purpose-led environment, you will bring the ability to turn strategy into action and lead people through change with confidence and compassion.
You will have a strong commercial and strategic mindset, with experience of strengthening financial sustainability through income growth, partnerships or innovation, alongside the credibility to represent Coeliac UK with government, the NHS, researchers, industry and supporters.
Just as importantly, you will be an authentic and visible leader who builds trust, develops high-performing teams, embraces accountability and creates an inclusive culture where people can thrive. You don’t need a personal connection to coeliac disease or previous CEO experience, but you will bring a genuine passion for the charity’s mission and the determination to help Coeliac UK realise its considerable potential.
To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the candidate pack.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Rachel Davies | rachel@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07961 208037
Lucy Mavers | lucy@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07947 935068
Welcome from Chris Dilloway, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your interest in leading Coeliac UK. I hope that as you read this pack, you will come to share our conviction about what this charity can achieve in the years ahead and for the hundreds of thousands of people across the UK whose lives are affected by coeliac disease.
Coeliac disease is a serious, lifelong autoimmune condition, not a food fad or a lifestyle choice. It affects around one in a hundred people, yet many go undiagnosed for years. For those living with it, a strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment. Everyday things that others take for granted – a cheap loaf of bread, a hospital meal, a sandwich at the station – are simply not available at worst, or take knowledge, careful planning, and confidence at best. Coeliac UK exists to support those with the disease and to fund research that will lead to a cure. We do all this with the aim that no life is limited by coeliac disease.
We have been the UK’s coeliac charity since 1968, when a small group of families and doctors came together to support one another and to push for change. In the decades since, we have built something remarkable: the Crossed Grain symbol that shoppers trust around the world; a membership of more than 65,000 people; a respected research programme focused on diagnosis, treatment and the quality of gluten free food; a gluten free accreditation scheme that works hand in hand with the food industry; and a campaigning voice that has improved diagnosis, prescribing and labelling. We are proud of the breadth of that work and the trust we have earned from our members, from health professionals and from the businesses we accredit.
You would be joining us at a defining moment. Hilary Croft has led the charity with energy and skill since 2019, and as she moves on, we are grateful for all she has built and for the strengthened senior team she leaves in place. Our last strategy period is now complete, and the foundations of our new strategy are well defined. Our next Chief Executive will lead the development and execution of the strategic plan to ensure we are around to support people for the next sixty years, and to achieve our vision of a world without coeliac disease. That is an exciting prospect, and one I want to set out candidly. Like many membership charities, we have our share of challenges: growing our research funding while putting our income on a sustainable footing, reaching the many people who remain undiagnosed, and continuing to modernise how we support our community – all in a demanding economic climate. We are looking for a leader who sees the opportunity in that.
We are less concerned with any particular career path than with the qualities you would bring: strategic and commercial judgement, a track record of growing and diversifying income, a gift for building partnerships and inspiring a committed team, and the integrity and warmth to be a true ambassador for our cause. Lived experience of coeliac disease, your own or a family member’s, is welcome but not essential.
What you can expect from us is a Board that is ambitious, engaged, supportive and willing to offer constructive challenge, and a talented, dedicated staff team who care deeply about the people we serve.
We would especially welcome applications from people whose backgrounds are underrepresented in charity leadership, and we will gladly make any adjustments you need at any stage of the process.
If the prospect of leading Coeliac UK into its next chapter excites you as much as it does us, we would be delighted to hear from you.
With best wishes,
Chris Dilloway
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Coeliac UK
What Staff Are Looking for in Our Next CEO
Through a recent organisation-wide town hall, colleagues shared the qualities they believe will be most important in our next Chief Executive. While perspectives varied, several consistent themes emerged.
A clear vision and strategic leadership
Colleagues are looking for a CEO who can articulate a compelling vision for the future, provide clarity of direction and bring people together behind a shared purpose. There is a strong desire for visible leadership that creates alignment across the organisation and ensures everyone understands how their work contributes to the charity’s overall ambitions.
An approachable and visible leader
Visibility was one of the strongest themes raised. Staff want a CEO who is present, accessible and engaged with colleagues across the organisation. Building relationships, communicating openly and taking time to understand different teams and their work were all seen as essential to creating trust and connection.
Deep understanding of the charity sector
Many colleagues highlighted the importance of prior charity sector leadership. They felt the successful candidate should understand the unique opportunities and challenges of leading a charity and be able to champion the organisation’s mission externally.
Growing our reach and impact
There is a significant appetite for a leader who can help the charity reach wider audiences and increase its impact. Staff spoke about the importance of strengthening fundraising, developing innovative approaches to engagement, embracing digital opportunities and building strategic partnerships that raise both awareness and income.
Strong external partnerships
Colleagues would welcome a CEO who understands how to maximise relationships with corporate partners, particularly those connected to the food industry and wider commercial sectors, and who can identify new opportunities to advance the charity’s mission.
Curiosity and innovation
Staff are excited by the prospect of a leader who is forward-thinking, embraces innovation and is curious about future opportunities. Whether through digital transformation, new technologies or fresh ways of working, colleagues hope the next CEO will help position the charity for long-term success.
Building a positive organisational culture
Creating an environment where people can do their best work was another recurring theme. Staff spoke about the importance of a leader who lives the organisation’s values, fosters accountability, supports collaboration and helps build a positive, inclusive culture.
Understanding the organisation
Colleagues value a CEO who takes time to understand the breadth of the charity’s work and appreciates the expertise that already exists across the organisation. Listening, learning and recognising the strengths of different teams were seen as important foundations for effective leadership.
Supporting sustainable transformation
Alongside delivering the strategic vision, staff recognised the importance of addressing long-term organisational challenges, including modernising systems and ensuring the organisation is well positioned for the future.
About Coeliac UK
Our culture
Our culture is purpose-driven, values-led, and centred on people. We are passionate, evidence-led and compassionate, with colleagues motivated by knowing their work has meaning and makes a real difference to people living with coeliac disease.
We work collaboratively across teams and with our wider community, including members, volunteers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers and the food industry. We value open communication, active listening, respectful challenge and a workplace where people feel able to contribute.
We are also continuing to strengthen our culture by further embedding our values into the way we work. This includes looking at how our values are reflected in our people processes, decision making, leadership behaviours and day-to-day interactions, helping us build an even more consistent, inclusive and values-led culture across the charity.
We also recognise that people do their best work when they feel supported. Our approach to flexible and hybrid working, wellbeing, development and reward is designed to help colleagues balance life and work while continuing to grow and contribute to our shared mission.
Our values
Trustworthy: We are reliable and do what we say. As experts in coeliac disease and living gluten free, we seek knowledge, check the facts and provide evidence-based advice and support that people can rely on.
Caring: We care deeply about people and the impact of our work. We listen with empathy, support one another and keep the needs of our members, beneficiaries and volunteers at the heart of our decisions.
Tenacious: We do not give up. We stay focused on our long-term vision while making a difference now, finding creative ways to overcome barriers and continuing to learn through challenge.
Collaborative: We work positively with others to achieve our mission. We build strong relationships, respect differences, encourage participation and use feedback from our community to shape and improve our work.
Learn more about Coeliac UK
Accessibility information
We are committed to building a workplace where everyone feels welcomed, respected and able to thrive. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities, and we are committed to running a fair, inclusive and accessible recruitment process.
All recruitment decisions are based on skills, experience and suitability for the role. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or any other irrelevant factor.
If you need any reasonable adjustments or support at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know. We will do our best to remove barriers and ensure you can demonstrate your skills and experience fully.
We offer the following amenities:
- Step-free access to the building, all key meeting rooms and bathrooms, and an accessible workstation
- Papers and materials can be presented in different formats
- Working patterns and locations can be adjusted
To arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Rachel Davies | rachel@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07961 208037
Lucy Mavers | lucy@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07947 935068
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Role Description and Person Specification.
To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.
Please include your home address, contact email and mobile.
Please ensure that your application is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: Coeliac UK—CEO” into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Rachel Davies | rachel@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07961 208037
Lucy Mavers | lucy@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07947 935068
As a sector-leading executive search consultancy, we know the importance of creating recruitment processes that are fair, inclusive and free from bias. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a process that values differences.
If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please contact the lead consultant. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.
Applicants with disabilities are welcome to contact us in confidence at any stage of the recruitment process to discuss any reasonable adjustments or support that may be required to ensure fair and equal participation.
Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.
Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Tuesday 25th August 2026
Candidates informed of outcome: Friday 28th August 2026
First stage interviews: Wednesday 2nd & Thursday 3rd September (virtual)
Second stage interviews: Thursday 10th September (in person)
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and Coeliac UK are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 launched on 25 May 2018.
The information provided does not form part of the decision-making process and will not affect your application. Learn more about why we collect this data here.
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