Five new trustees are joining the charity’s board, bringing with them a range of experience from roles in the VCSE sector, business management, health and social care and finance. Alongside the new trustees, Norfolk Community Foundation have also appointed a new Company Secretary and a Chair of the Norfolk 100, a collective-giving membership of donors who share a passion for supporting Norfolk.

Henry Cator OBE DL, Chair of Norfolk Community Foundation, said: “We are so fortunate in Norfolk to have people who are willing to volunteer to help others less fortunate than themselves. I am delighted that we are able to announce the appointment of our five new Trustees; all who come with huge talent and skills and offer experience in areas that we need to concentrate on if we are to meet the challenges of the Covid pandemic.”

Claire Cullens, Chief Executive of Norfolk Community Foundation, said: “We are really excited to welcome these new appointments, all of whom bring a range of unique skills and background that will help us to continue to take the Foundation forward, responding to the needs within communities across Norfolk in the wake of the pandemic.”

The new appointments:

Fiona McDiarmid joins as a trustee. Fiona became Executive Director leading the Strategy and Governance Department at Norfolk County Council in 2019, with much of her early experience being with social services in both operational, policy and strategy roles. Before joining the County Council, Fiona worked in three different local authorities as well as a not for profit social business. “I am delighted to be joining the trustee team at the Norfolk Community Foundation, given the challenges our communities continue to face as a result of Covid I can think of no better way of helping to make sure Norfolk shines brighter again!”

Jessica Middleton joins as a trustee. Jessica is the Insight Manager for Impact at BBC Children in Need, with a range of experience working and volunteering in the Voluntary and Community Sector including over 10 years making and managing grants across the East of England. “Throughout my career I have worked primarily in the Voluntary and Community Sector. I am passionate about the difference that can be made at a local level through funding and community engagement which is so vital at this time. I am delighted to join the Norfolk Community Foundation as a trustee supporting the Foundation’s essential work across Norfolk.”

Richard Ross joins us a trustee. Richard is a Director of a wealth management company and is particularly interested in improving the lives of disadvantaged and marginalised young people, having spent 10 years supporting a young person in care. “I believe passionately that by working together we can do things better; we can give all our young people aspirations and a belief they can achieve them; we can combat loneliness, we can give everyone the satisfaction of knowing they are doing their bit. The Norfolk Community Foundation really does help Norfolk shine brighter, by becoming a trustee I hope to be a part of that.”

Rosalyn Proops joins as a trustee. Rosalyn retired a few years ago but previously was a paediatrician in the Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, working with national agencies and organisations concerned with children and young People, including around safeguarding, youth justice and mental health. “I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity to join the Board of Norfolk Community Foundation and to contribute to its work in supporting the people of Norfolk, particularly during these challenging times.”

Jenny Watson CBE joins as a trustee. Jenny is a Non-Executive Director on the board of the Financial Reporting Council and the Reclaim Fund Ltd, previously serving as Chair of the Electoral Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission. “I’m a huge admirer of the Norfolk Community Foundation who have inspired so much support for charities and community groups, whether through financial donations or in kind. So it is a real pleasure to be joining them as a trustee as I put down deeper roots in Norfolk. I’m looking forward to learning more and supporting their work.”

John Fuller OBE joins as Chair of the Norfolk 100. John is Leader of South Norfolk Council, being first elected to South Norfolk Council in 2003 as the Member for Brooke Ward, and was previously a Director of family firm J & H Bunn in Great Yarmouth, established as fertiliser manufacturers and agricultural merchants for over 190 years. “I have been a Norfolk 100 member for over a decade and am looking forward to helping even more people and businesses to come together socially for a charitable purpose. The need in our County has never been greater but I know that need that is matched by an extraordinary appetite from so many to make a tangible difference if only they knew how. The Norfolk Community Foundation exists to make it easy for those people acting individually or through their company to concentrate help to local families, communities and places to build better lives for themselves and for our County with charity that genuinely begins close to home.”

Ed Savory joins as Company Secretary. Ed is a Partner at Birketts, having qualified as a Solicitor in 2006 and Heads the firm’s Food Sector Team, whilst also focusing on business expansion and has particular expertise in franchising. Ed is also a partner of the EDP Future50 project, which supports fast growing innovative companies in Norfolk and Suffolk. “I have been a supporter of the Norfolk Community Foundation for several years. To have the opportunity to give my time and expertise to support this truly brilliant organisation by becoming the Company Secretary is an absolute privilege. I am looking forward to working with the Foundation to help it to continue to grow its reach to support even more worthwhile charities and community groups in Norfolk.”