UK COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS STRENGTHENS BOARD WITH KEY APPOINTMENTS

UK Community Foundations, the charitable network that distributes funds to local causes, welcomes three more high-flyers to its board.

Awarded an MBE in this year's New Year's Honours for his services to education and the community in Bristol, Stephen Parsons' charity leadership spans numerous charitable groups covering social enterprise, education, music and community funding.

Stephen Parsons said of his appointment:

"In the four and a half years I served as Chair of Quartet Community Foundation the movement undoubtedly came of age. It is now the first stop for connectivity with communities and increasingly it has the ability to make a real difference to help alleviate need.

I am passionate about supporting community initiatives and am pleased to be using that direct practical experience in the sector to support UKCF."

Highly commended in Charity Times' Rising Star CEO category, London Community Foundation's Sonal Shah has been co-opted onto the UKCF board, bringing ten years' experience in community foundations with a particular emphasis on growth, mergers and fundraising.

Sonal Shah said of her appointment:

"Having worked closely with UKCF, I am convinced of the importance of the network to support and strengthen the work of community foundations around the UK. I look forward to being on the board at this time of growth and change."

Invaluable investment and financial know-how comes courtesy of newly co-opted trustee Alun Evans, Business Development Director for Quilter Cheviot Investment Management, who has over 35 years' experience in the investment world. Alun is also a Trustee of the Community Foundation in Wales.

Alun Davies said of his appointment:

"The relationship between business and charity is still underdeveloped and I am pleased to be able to bring a different perspective to an already dynamic and diverse board. Quilter Cheviot has a strong history of working with charities and supporting communities and I am excited to bring that to the UKCF board."

The experienced UKCF board, chaired by David Sheepshanks CBE DL, oversees the activity of the network of community foundations across the UK. Community foundations are committed to addressing the needs of communities through strategic giving, resulting in measurable impact at a local level.

David Sheepshanks CBE DL, Chair of UK Community Foundations, said:

"We have been very pleased to welcome three such accomplished individuals to the board. UKCF draws great strength from the collective experience and skills of its board members and Stephen, Sonal and Alun's appointments both broaden and deepen our pool of expertise. Their contributions will be invaluable as community foundations build collectively upon their record level of endowments and grant-making in 2014, placing us in the top dozen charities in the UK."

ENDS

For further information and media enquiries please contact Laura Karban on 0207 841 4381 lkarban@ukcommunityfoundations.org

Notes to Editors

About UK Community Foundations:

UKCF is the membership organisation for community foundations that work across the UK to raise then distribute money directly to local causes. Community foundations operate to ensure any form of philanthropy, whether from an individual or an organisation, is effective and brings greatest benefit to those in need in our local communities. Last year, community foundations made over 20,000 grants, distributing over £65 million to local causes.

We represent 48 quality accredited community foundation members. Our Quality Accreditation process is endorsed by the Charity Commission and uses standards consistent with the Charity Commission's Hallmarks of an Effective Charity, with robust, transparent and fair assessment processes. Achieving Quality Accreditation demonstrates that community foundations are serious about quality and accountability.