Leeds Community Foundation appoints new CEO
Leeds Community Foundation (LCF) has announced the appointment of Kate Hainsworth as its new chief executive.
Hainsworth has over two decades of development experience and has worked for a number of third and private sector organisations. Her previous experience includes senior roles at Opera North and Theatre Royal Wakefield.
She is currently development director and deputy CEO of LCF, and will take up the new role in January 2018 with a key responsibility for implementing the charity’s strategic plans and overseeing the management of the staff team.
LCF is a local charity with a mission to create positive change in the communities of Leeds that need it most. Since 2004, LCF has raised over £50m in donations and distributed over £33m in grants to local community groups.
Hainsworth succeeds Sally-Anne Greenfield who, after 13 years building up LCF into the respected and effective organisation it is today, is stepping down as chief executive to pursue a career in consultancy.
Greenfield said: “It has been a privilege to have led such an amazing organisation and to see, at first hand, the incredible impact the 4,673 grants we have given out have had on the lives of so many people. I’m delighted to leave the Foundation in such a strong position and to pass over the reins to Kate who I am confident will continue to build on LCF’s success. I look forward to watching the Foundation grow from strength to strength.”
Hainsworth will work closely with the charity’s Board of Trustees and chair, Rachel Hannan.
“I’m absolutely delighted to have been appointed Chief Executive of LCF. Over the past 2 years, I have had the opportunity to work with Sally-Anne and a growing team of now 18 dedicated staff that support hundreds of charities across the city with millions of pounds in donations and guidance. I look forward to taking on this new challenge and working with the team and Trustees to address the real needs faced by our city,” added Hainsworth.
Rachel Hannan, Chair of Leeds Community Foundation said: “The Board of Trustees underwent a comprehensive and rigorous external recruitment process and were impressed with the number of high quality applicants attracted. However, Kate stood out as the strongest candidate, with a passion for the city and the skills to lead the team to realise LCF’s vision of making Leeds a city of opportunity for all.
“LCF has ambitious plans for the future and we are keen to encourage and enable more donors to provide vital community investment and support across Leeds. With the Foundation unable to fund half of the grant applications it receives, there is much more still to be done. We would like to thank our outgoing CEO, Sally-Anne Greenfield, for her huge contribution, hard work and dedication over the past 13 years and wish her all the best for the future.”
LCF’s most recent projects have included the renovation of the Old Fire Station in Gipton to create a new community hub, and the implementation of the charitable initiative, The Leeds Fund, which brought Prince Harry to Leeds in July 2017.
