Horatio’s Garden is delighted to announce that Katie Tait will be joining the charity in April 2024 as its first CEO. Katie will work closely with Horatio’s Garden Founder and Chair of Trustees Dr Olivia Chapple to deliver the charity’s strategic objectives and secure a sustainable future.
Katie is currently PR and Public Affairs Director at Maggie’s, the charity which provides free expert care and support in centres across the UK. Here, she has led teams across marketing, PR, fundraising and public affairs since joining in 2007. During this period, 16 new centres have opened, revenue income has trebled and Maggie’s has become an influencer through the worlds of media, landscape, health, architecture and psychology.
Previously, Katie spent 15 years at the BBC producing programmes on BBC Radio 4 and BBC 1 and as a journalist for broadsheets including The Telegraph and The Times. She is an advisor to Project Giving Back and is a Trustee of The Charlie Waller Trust.
She said: “I have been following the work of Horatio’s Garden for a long time and been so impressed by the way it has built 7 extraordinary gardens in such a short space of time. The drive to deliver this essential resource for people with spinal injuries has been inspiring. I’m so delighted and excited to lead the next stage of its expansion, working alongside Olivia and becoming part of such a brilliant team.”
Dr Olivia Chapple added: “We are thrilled to have appointed Katie as the first CEO. Katie’s expertise and experience will ensure the sustainable growth of Horatio’s Gardens to support more patients and families affected by spinal cord injury across the UK.”