July 21, 2023

POhWER, the UK's largest advocacy charity, has announced that its Chief Executive Helen Moulinos will step down in early 2024. Helen will remain in post until then, pending the appointment of a new Chief Executive by the Board.

Serving as Chief Executive since 2020, Helen has led POhWER through multiple advocacy responses and campaigning programmes helping to protect the human rights of everyday people in the UK.

Antony Kildare, Chair of the Board at POhWER says: “I want to thank Helen for her service to POhWER and our many service users and for her courageous leadership over the last three and a half years, a period of significant strategic change and campaigning activity. She will continue to contribute positively to our charitable purpose and future as Chief Executive until she steps down next year."

"Helen has steered the charity with integrity and ingenuity at a time when the human rights of the many people we support each year are under threat and not always being upheld. Through Helen’s collaboration and tenacity POhWER has helped to safeguard vulnerable and marginalised people from harm and abuse, extend our reach and relevance, build our campaigning efforts and strengthen our human rights focus."

“Helen has helped to navigate the charity through a period of considerable change, transforming our work across public services in the UK. She has worked tirelessly in support of our charity’s purpose to ensure people are empowered to uphold their human rights and seek support in a crisis through independent advocacy and advice. She will continue to lead POhWER while the Board recruits the very best person to lead our charity going forward. Helen, our committed leadership team, and our talented staff and volunteers will continue to put our beneficiaries at the heart of everything we do.”

Helen Moulinos, Chief Executive at POhWER says: “Since 1996, POhWER has been empowering people outside of the courts to uphold their human rights and be treated as equal people in our society. It has been an honour to play my small part in leading the charity during a time of uncertainty starting with the pandemic and then the cost-of-living crisis. I stand in awe of the work our 430 staff and more than 100 volunteers deliver every day. Our charity could not have delivered the impact we have had over the last three and a half years without them.”

"I am incredibly proud of everything POhWER has achieved, helping those who need us the most across the UK, but it is the right time for me to move on. My passion for the work of POhWER and more widely for protecting the human rights of people living in the UK remains undiminished. I will leave behind a committed charity culture that is equipped to speak up and speak out independently when things aren’t right in public services and institutions.”

"I am very much looking forward to using my remaining time at POhWER to ensure we complete the implementation of our strategy and that I leave behind a sustainable foundation and legacy for our next Chief Executive to build upon.”