The former national leader of youth movement Habonim has been appointed as the chief executive of the UK branch of the New Israel Fund (NIF).

Adam Ognall will take over in January 2011 from Ellen Goldberg, who is returning to Israel after four years in the role.

Mr Ognall, who founded a sustainability enterprise called GreenMinds, is the current chair of North London charity Restore. He previously served as the co-chair of the Zionist Youth Council and worked at the Charity Commission.

He said he was delighted to join the organisation. “I look forward to contributing to its great work supporting a prosperous and democratic Israel.”

The chairman of NIF UK, Nicholas Saphir, added: “We look forward to working with him in further communicating the urgency and critical need to support those Israelis with whom we share values and a vision for the future of Israel.”

Ellen Goldberg praised her successor and said: “I will be returning to my family and home in Israel knowing that I’ve left the organisation and my very capable staff in good hands.”