The appointment is welcomed by Business in the Community Northern Ireland (BITC NI).

Ndidi succeeds Kieran Harding, who has served as Acting Chief Executive of BITC UK and previously Managing Director of BITC NI. Kieran will work with Ndidi over the coming months to support a smooth and stable leadership transition.

BITC works closely with employers, public bodies and communities to advance responsible business leadership across all regions of the UK.

Ndidi brings more than twenty years’ experience leading organisational growth, building coalitions and driving large-scale social impact across education, business and civil society. She began her career as a teacher through the Leadership Development Programme at Teach First, before moving into senior executive roles across the education and corporate sectors, including at Pearson.

Most recently, as Chief Executive of UK Youth, Ndidi led a major organisational transformation, tripling income and significantly expanding national, cross-sector impact. She also served for five years as a Board Advisor to Sky, helping guide its £30 million commitment to representation and inclusion.

Peter Harrison, Chair of Business in the Community UK, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome Ndidi as BITC’s new Chief Executive. Her energy, clarity of purpose and deep experience of building partnerships across sectors make her the ideal leader for this next chapter. The Board has every confidence that Ndidi will build on BITC’s remarkable legacy and lead the organisation into a new era of impact.”

On her appointment, Ndidi Okezie said:
“I am deeply honoured to be joining Business in the Community at such a pivotal moment for society and for responsible business leadership. This role represents the convergence of everything I’ve championed throughout my career – cross-sector coalition building, systems-change thinking, and the belief that business must be a force for meaningful social progress.

Founded more than forty years ago by King Charles III, BITC has built an unmatched legacy of trust and impact. Together with our staff, Board, businesses, partners and communities, we will build boldly on those foundations to shape the next chapter of BITC’s influence.”

Vicky Davies OBE, Chair of BITC NI said:
“We are delighted to welcome Ndidi to Business in the Community. Her commitment to cross‑sector collaboration and inclusive growth strongly aligns with the priorities of our work in Northern Ireland, where business has a vital role to play in supporting people, places and the planet, for a prosperous and sustainable future.

“Sincere thanks go to Kieran Harding for his outstanding leadership as Acting Chief Executive at a national level, and for his instrumental role in driving the responsible business agenda across NI since joining BITC in 1990.”