Norwood has appointed Jewish Women’s Aid chief executive Naomi Dickson as its new CEO, filling the vacancy created by the departure of Dr Beverly Jacobson. She takes up the role with the children’s, families and learning disability charity in January.

Ms Dickson joined JWA — supporting Jewish women experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence — as refuge co-ordinator and was made CEO in 2014. Since that time, its annual income has almost doubled.

She has also worked for Jewish Blind and Disabled and the Notting Hill Housing Trust and served as a Women’s Aid Federation of England trustee, playing a pivotal role in the recognition of faith-based domestic abuse and get refusal in statutory guidance for the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act.

Norwood chair Neville Kahn said he had “long admired Naomi for her advocacy and tireless campaigning on women’s rights. As an established community and charity leader, she brings with her strong leadership skills, communal knowledge and significant fundraising experience [£12 million of Norwood’s £32 million budget has to be raised from voluntary donations].

“Her person-centred ethos made her the outstanding candidate and we look forward to her bringing that to our work in empowering each individual we support to live their best possible life.”

Ms Dickson said she would be joining Norwood as it entered “the exciting next phase in its history.

“I am committed to ensuring we continue to adapt to meet the changing needs of the community as we focus on supporting individuals with learning disabilities and autism and children and their families facing social, educational and mental health challenges.”

She would leave JWA “with a heavy heart but immense pride in a robust organisation.

“It has gone from strength to strength, diversifying services and offering practical and therapeutic support to thousands of women and children. As a crucial lifeline, particularly during the Covid crisis, Jewish Women’s Aid has enabled women to move forward after domestic abuse and sexual violence.”

JWA co-chairs Madeleine Abramson and Caroline Ratner thanked her for “outstanding” leadership, growing JWA “not just in size, professionalism and scope of activities and services but in impact across our community”.