WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children, has appointed Matt James as its new Chief Executive, based at the Cheltenham headquarters.

Matt has been part of the senior management team at WellChild for the last seven years as director of communications and engagement and most recently as Interim CEO following the departure of Colin Dyer in April 2022.

Prior to joining WellChild, Matt spent more than ten years in the technology industry and has spearheaded a number of digital projects and services at the charity. As the charity's current strategy period reaches it's close in 2023, Matt will lead the development of a new strategic plan for WellChild as it enters an exciting new chapter in its history.

Matt James, chief executive at WellChild (Cheltenham) said: "I am honoured to be given the opportunity to build on the strong foundations that have been laid over the past 16 years since the establishment of our first WellChild Nurse post.

"The world around us has changed dramatically and the needs of families caring for seriously ill children are greater than ever. I am looking forward to working with our Trustees and our amazing team to lead WellChild into the next stage of our journey in giving families the very best chance to thrive."

Craig Hatch, WellChild Chair of Trustees, said: "I'm delighted that Matt has taken on the role of chief executive at WellChild and I'm sure under his leadership the charity will go from strength to strength.

"He has great experience of the organisation gained during his time as director of communications and engagement and he has a fantastic vision for the future of the charity and a passion for helping seriously ill children and their families all across the UK at what is a tremendously difficult time.

"I know that his hard work and dedication as leader of the WellChild team will allow the organisation to grow and develop as we strive to secure the best outcomes we can for the seriously ill children, young people and families who depend on WellChild for support."

WellChild provides essential and practical support to ensure that the increasing number of seriously ill children and young people in the UK have the best chance to thrive - properly supported at home with their families.

The charity, which has The Duke of Sussex as its Patron, provides a national network of children's nurses, who work with families to ensure that children with complex care needs can leave hospital and return home and, through its Helping Hands scheme, WellChild enlists the support of volunteers to tackle practical projects in the homes of children with serious health needs.

Through its family training and support services, the charity ensures parents and carers are properly supported and empowered to care for their children safely at home. During the COVID-19 crisis, WellChild set up a crisis response service to source and distribute Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to shielding families so that they could let external carers back into their home. The charity distributed more than 289,000 items of PPE to vulnerable families across the country.