Karen Phillips is standing down as chief executive of Manchester’s major communal welfare charity, The Fed, after 25 years with the organisation. Her successor is the charity’s chief operating officer Mark Cunningham.

“Stepping down certainly doesn’t mean I’m cutting my bonds with The Fed,” Mrs Phillips said. “I will still be playing my part, primarily as an ambassador for the organisation, helping to fundraise and promote us in Manchester and London.

“I leave at an exciting time. Come summer, work will begin on remodelling our ground floor accommodation [at the Heathlands site]. We want to create bright, homely and less confusing private areas for residents with dementia, reflecting the standards we have achieved in our public areas. The plans are inspiring and I’ll be watching with interest."

She added: “The board and I have enormous confidence in Mark’s ability to lead The Fed forward. His skills and experience are wide and comprehensive and he is the natural successor. The Fed and the community are very fortunate he has accepted the position.”

The charity supports more than 1,000 people at any time, employs 350 staff and is assisted by more than 500 volunteers.