Sue Pettigrew retires as Director of Streatham based St Michael’s Fellowship after 36 years.

Following 52 years at St Michael’s Fellowship, and 36 years as Director, Sue Pettigrew (OBE) is retiring from the pioneering charity which supports vulnerable families in and around South London.

Founded in 1903 by Agnes Parr, St Michael’s Fellowship first started by working with young unmarried mothers to try to keep mothers and babies together.

St Michael’s says the support it offers has continued to evolve, adapting to society’s changing needs throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.

In recent decades, St Michael’s has developed expertise in working with young dads, advocating for fathers’ rights as parents and the belief that everyone has the capability of being the best parent they can be, when given the right support.

Sally Prentice, St Michael’s Chair of Trustees shares:

“To lead a charity effectively for over 30 years is a considerable achievement. Sue Pettigrew OBE has brought passion, dedication and immense hard work to the role. Thousands of children’s lives have changed for the better due to the expert, skilful and dedicated work with parents undertaken by our staff team, led by Sue. Everyone at St Michael’s wishes Sue all the very best for her retirement.”

The role of the charity’s new CEO will be undertaken by Oretha Wofford.

“We are absolutely delighted that Oretha will be leading St Michael’s into an exciting new chapter in our 122-year history. Oretha brings to the CEO role an absolute commitment to ensuring that every child thrives; that parents are enabled to be the best parents they can be and a wealth of expertise in senior leadership roles in children’s social care, policy and practice across London local authorities, as well as public child welfare and the voluntary sector in the USA.”