Our Executive Team

Katie Docherty - CEO

Katie Docherty joined the Chartered Institute of Fundraising as Chief Executive Officer in October 2021.

She brings extensive leadership experience and deep sector insight, having worked across fundraising, membership bodies, and national charities.

Katie began her third sector career at Anthony Nolan, where she led regional fundraising teams across the UK. She went on to Age Scotland as Head of Charity Services, overseeing Policy, Communications, Campaigns, Fundraising, Information & Advice, and Community Development.

In 2016, she became Chief Executive of Scouts Scotland, a membership organisation supporting 40,000 young people and 12,000 adult volunteers.

Katie was re-appointed in 2025 by the Scottish Government as a Non-Executive Director at Children’s Hearings Scotland and serves as a board member of Charity Leadership Scotland. Outside of work, she volunteers as a Scout Leader, is a season ticket holder at Dunfermline Athletic Football Club, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts.

Rob Cope - Executive Director, Membership & Operations

Rob Cope joined the Chartered Institute in 2010 as its director of Remember A Charity. He now leads the Chartered Institute of Fundraising's membership, working with our thousands of individual, organisational and corporate members. Rob also oversees our work to grow charitable giving, encouraging more people to support their favourite causes.

He was previously deputy director of marketing and communications at The Prince's Trust.

Ceri Edwards - Executive Director, Engagement

Ceri has spent over 25 years working in the public and third sectors, the last ten at the Chartered Institute where he is Executive Director of Engagement and President of the European Fundraising Association.  

Ceri is responsible for the organisations most critical resource, our people (staff and volunteers), leading our engagement with the fundraising community and key stakeholders. 

Ceri is a former BBC political producer and started his campaigning career with human rights group Liberty. He has also worked for the Citizenship Foundation, Action for Children and the BBC Children in Need appeal. He has held senior communication and policy roles at London Councils, the Local Government Association and the People's Health Trust.  

Ceri has always volunteered and fundraised for causes he cares about and is a former volunteer and trustee at Switchboard LGBT, Survivors UK, Empty Homes Agency and AvMA, the charity for patient safety and justice. He is currently a trustee of the National AIDS Trust and AIDS Memory UK. 

Julie Court - Executive Director, Finance, People and Resources

Julie joined in 2022 as the Executive Director of Finance and Resources.  A chartered accountant, Julie has previously worked in external audit and financial services before moving to the third sector in 2008.