Article 39 is pleased to announce the appointment of Jodie Wickers as Executive Director. Jodie joined the organisation several weeks ago and is now fully in role.
Jodie brings over 15 years’ experience working with children and young people with multiple, intersecting experiences of care, custody, trauma and mental ill health. She has a strong background in direct practice, with a BSc in Criminology and an MA in Psychodynamic and Systemic Leadership and brings lived experience that deepens her understanding of the systems and settings she has worked within. She has spent the past seven years in senior leadership roles, most recently as Chief Executive of the national youth charity Khulisa, where she led the organisation through a period of significant growth, increased influence and strengthened impact.
Jodie’s expertise lies in leading small charities to grow in ways that protect quality while increasing impact, and in building income and organisational sustainability alongside delivery. She has a strong track record of amplifying children and young people’s voices, embedding their experiences at the centre of decision-making, and working in partnership to influence policy, practice and systems.
Jodie joins Article 39 at a critical time for children’s rights. Recent developments across the youth justice and care systems have once again highlighted the risks faced by children in institutional settings, and the urgent need for independent, principled advocacy. Her early priorities include continuing Article 39’s campaigns to end child imprisonment and to keep caring to 18; leading sector-wide conversations on children’s rights, advocacy and the long-awaited national advocacy standards; and continuing to expose gaps in safeguarding, accountability and oversight wherever children’s rights are at risk.
She will also be working closely with trustees to strengthen Article 39’s organisational foundations, including developing the Board to ensure it has the skills, experience and diversity needed to support the organisation’s next phase.