From 31 March, Tanuku will take on her new role as NDNA’s executive chair, leading the strategic work of the organisation including managing key external relationships with ministers, senior officials and policy work across the UK.
Replacing Tanuku as chief executive is Tim McLachlan, who previously led the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) and the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, which saw the implementation of Natasha’s Law on food allergies in 2021.
Outgoing chief executive Purnima Tanuku said, ‘This is an absolutely crucial time for the early years sector across the UK. We have seen unprecedented demand in delivering growing funded childcare commitments, while ensuring settings can remain sustainable and deliver the high-quality early education we all want to see.
'At NDNA we proactively offer evidence-based solutions to some of the policy challenges of the sector. We are strengthening the organisation’s senior management team in order to enhance our support through the expansion of our Maths Champions programme and establishing and developing the Institute of Early Years Education.
‘I am delighted to be welcoming Tim to NDNA as he has the drive and commitment to take the organisation forward as we continue to grow our support to the sector and I am really pleased to be working with him as he takes on this role.’
Tim McLachlan, NDNA’s incoming chief executive, added, ‘I am thrilled to be joining NDNA at this critical time for children, families and the providers who are delivering early education and care places to them. There is a lot of focus on early years right now and I want to make sure NDNA stays at the forefront of that national debate.
‘I want to see a world where all children can have better life chances through accessing high-quality early education and care. To achieve that we need strong and sustainable providers of all shapes and sizes, who are thriving, not just surviving.’
