Launchpad, the charity supporting homeless Armed Forces veterans across the North East of England and Liverpool, has announced that its Chief Executive, Jill Murray BA FCIH, retired at the end of August 2026 after leading the organisation through the most significant period of transformational change in its history.
Jill has a long history with Launchpad as the original veterans housing scheme in Byker was her idea back in 2012 when she was Chief Executive of the housing association that owned the Grade II* Byker Estate. Having retired in 2021 she came out of retirement in 2024 to take the helm of the charity, with a clear ’Agenda for Change’, a strategic direction which aimed to: modernise and professionalise Launchpad, establish excellence in governance and build the foundations for long-term leadership. Under her direction, the charity has introduced a new risk and assurance framework, sharpened its financial management, launched a new quality and safety scorecard, improved operational performance and developed Launchpad’s five-year strategy to 2030, which was cocreated with residents, staff, trustees and partners.
The ‘Agenda for Change’ work, was funded in part by the Veterans’ Foundation and has left Launchpad on a footing few could have imagined two years ago: robust, ambitious and ready for its next chapter.
Jill Murray said:
“Launchpad has been part of my life since 2012, when my idea for this charity first took shape in Byker. Coming back to lead it through this period of transformational change has been both extremely challenging and rewarding at the same time. I leave the charity knowing that I have achieved what I came here to do, and that was to prepare the organisation for the future, and to put it on a stronger financial footing, with a clear strategy and a talented team of dedicated staff. Our veterans deserve nothing less.”
Chair of the Board, Ian Dormer CBE, said:
“Jill’s contribution to Launchpad cannot be overstated. She has been part of this charity from its very beginning, and her return in 2024 came at exactly the moment we needed her most. In two years she has transformed our governance, our finances and our strategic direction, and she leaves us in an exceptional position to support even more veterans in the years ahead. On behalf of the Board, staff and residents, we thank her for everything that’s she has done for Launchpad.”
