Dame Clare Moriarty, the chief executive of Citizens Advice, has revealed she will be stepping down from her role later this year, leaving the charity at a critical moment as it grapples with soaring demand for its services.
Leadership Transition Amid Unprecedented Challenges
The announcement comes as the organisation faces what Moriarty described as "the most difficult period" in its 84-year history. Citizens Advice has been inundated with requests for help from households struggling with energy bills, debt, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
"The last few years have seen extraordinary challenges for the people we help," Moriarty stated. "Our dedicated staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to support record numbers of people facing impossible choices between heating and eating."
Record-Breaking Demand for Services
Recent statistics from the charity paint a stark picture of the current economic landscape:
- More people sought help from Citizens Advice in the past year than at any point in the organisation's history
- Energy-related issues have become the single largest category of problems faced by clients
- The charity is dealing with increasingly complex cases involving multiple financial crises
This surge in demand has placed significant strain on the charity's resources, with Moriarty acknowledging the financial pressures facing the organisation alongside its clients.
Search for New Leadership Begins
The board of trustees has already initiated the process to find Moriarty's successor. Chair of Trustees, David Lidington, praised her leadership during "exceptionally turbulent times" and emphasised the importance of finding the right candidate to guide the charity through ongoing economic uncertainty.
Moriarty, who took the helm in 2019 after a distinguished civil service career, will remain in post until autumn to ensure a smooth transition. Her departure marks the end of a tenure that saw the charity navigate the COVID-19 pandemic followed immediately by the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades.
The new chief executive will inherit an organisation that has become an essential lifeline for millions of Britons, yet faces its own financial challenges while demand for its services shows no signs of abating.
