Jewish Care has announced that its chairman will be stepping down in September.

Jonathan Zenios has been chairman of the UK’s largest Jewish welfare charity since September 2020, steering the organisation through much of the pandemic and overseeing two mergers.

He will be succeeded by Marcus Sperber, who has been a trustee of the charity since 2021. Sperber currently sits on the charity’s internal audit, assurance and risk committee and its remuneration committee.

Zenios, who oversaw the merger of Sunridge Court with the charity and the amalgamation of Jewish Care with the mental health charity Jami, told the JC that it had “been an honour to lead Jewish Care over the last four years, and I feel incredibly proud of the growth and progress that has been made during this time.

“Our community is blessed to have some of the finest social care charities in the world and it has been a privilege chairing such a prestigious organisation during a challenging period.”

During his tenure, Zenios oversaw the completion of Jewish Care’s Sandringham care campus and secured planning permission for the charity’s next major capital development in Redbridge. He also ensured that Jewish Care since October 2021 aligned its pay strategy with the London Living Wage for its 1,300 employees.

During his time as chair, Jonathan Zenios aligned Jewish Care's pay strategy with the London Living Wage for its 1,300 employees (Photo: Jewish Care)

Paying tribute to Zenios, Lord Levy, Jewish Care’s life president said: “I want to express my deepest thanks and appreciation to Jonathan Zenios for his immense leadership and the enormous contribution he has made to the organisation during his time as chairman to date and historically for over two decades, having previously served as treasurer. ”

Jewish Care's current chair Jonathan Zenios has overseen the completion of Jewish Care's Sandringham care campus (Photo: Jewish Care)

Sperber, who runs an investment and advisory business, comes with a wealth of experience in the charity sector, having sat on the boards and committees of organisations including UJIA, North West London Jewish Day School and the Jewish Leadership Council.

A fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, he also has over 30 years of experience in the real estate and investment management industry.

He said: “Jewish Care is a cause very close to my heart, and I am truly honoured to be taking up the role of chairman later this year. The organisation has an exceptional board of trustees and an incredibly talented team of staff and volunteers led by CEO, Daniel Carmel-Brown.

“I am very much looking forward to working alongside all of them, partnering with them, to ensure that we continue to reach and provide care to clients and their families in our community who need our support.”

Welcoming the new appointment, Lord Levy, said: “I am thrilled that we will be welcoming Marcus as our next chairman in September. His strategic and visionary thinking, breadth of experience and expertise will ensure that Jewish Care continues to be a leading organisation and provider of care, not only in the community, but also in the wider social care sector.”