Keith Smith is announcing today that he will be retiring as CEO of the Ferry Project at the end of March 2025. Keith has been involved in the homelessness sector since 1998 and has helped to grow and develop the Ferry Project from its inception into being the primary homelessness provider for the Fenland Area. Ferry Project has helped over 3,500 people out of homelessness in the past 25 years. They currently have 75 beds in the Wisbech and March  area and partner with Clarion supporting 10 of their residents. They also work closely with Fenland District council providing a joint outreach service to rough sleepers and a support service to people in danger of becoming homeless. This service operates out of the Hub in Octavia View. Ferry Project currently helps 300 people a year with homelessness issues. Ferry Project also provides service to the whole of Wisbech through the management of the Queen Mary Centre, working with Blackfield Creatives to provide the Wisbech Gallery and the provision of Ferry Project cookery school.

Rebecca Howard has been appointed as Keith’s successor and she will start as Joint CEO with Keith Smith on 1 August 2024 before becoming the CEO on 1 April 2025. Rebecca has already been working with Ferry Project for over two years on various building projects. She is a qualified accountant and consultant finance director who has been working with charities, social enterprises and businesses to help them grow and to deliver projects including those for the homeless. She previously worked with Allia Impact, Places for People and Ferry Project on our very successful modular housing project in Jubilee Place and is a Trustee of It Takes a City CLT that is developing modular housing for the homeless in Cambridge. She has a particular interest in the charity and care sector having worked on housing projects with charities for senior and supported living.

Keith says : “It is with sadness that I step down from my role of CEO of the Ferry Project. My health over the last 12 months has not been good and it is important that the services provided locally to Homeless people are not negatively impacted. I am proud to have worked with such a wonderful, committed staff team. It is a privilege to pass on the leadership responsibility to such a talented and committed person as Rebecca Howard. We have worked together for over 2 years and Rebecca has the passion and skills to serve the people of Wisbech well.”

Rebecca Howard says "It is an honour to become the future leader of such a wonderful charity and to continue the legacy that Keith has built over 25 years. Keith is a remarkable man with a vision that has made a real difference for the homeless in Fenland. It will be a pleasure to work with his amazing team to continue that work within the community to both prevent homelessness and to support those who sadly find themselves without somewhere to call home. We want not only to help find homes but also to rebuild lives and futures”

There will be a period of handover from August 1, 2024 till the end of March 2025, to help ensure a smooth transition. Keith will then stepping back into an Ambassadorial Role, finally retiring on 31 March 2026.

The Ferry Project has impacted the lives of thousands of some of the most vulnerable people in our community for the past 25 years and will continue to go from strength to strength for years to come.