Member Article

Community Foundation adds further expertise with two key Board appointments

**Two high profile leaders from business and public sector finance backgrounds, have joined the Community Foundation’s Board of trustees. **

Paul Farquhar was Chief Finance Officer of Sevcon Inc. from 2007 to 2017. Paul brings to the Foundation a wealth of experience from a 25-year international business career in corporate finance and chartered accountancy, having worked for Price Waterhouse in Newcastle and Lisbon. Paul has been recruited to the Community Foundation’s Board of trustees to succeed Alastair Conn as its treasurer when the latter retires in the autumn having served for nine years.

Paul said: “Having pursued a successful career in business finance in the UK and globally, I am delighted to now be able to give back to the region through joining the Community Foundation. As someone raised and living in the North East of England, I am really inspired by the impact of the giving done through the Foundation to help vital causes on our doorstep. I am looking forward to getting more involved in my role as trustee and the next treasurer.”

Jon Mallen-Beadle is the Managing Director of Gateshead Housing Company, the arm’s length management organisation for local authority housing in the borough. Prior to becoming its MD, Jon was the director of finance and corporate services. Jon is also Vice Chair of the Chartered Institute of Housing’s North East Board. Gateshead Housing Company is a long-standing member of the Community Foundation and has for many years held a fund there supporting projects benefiting residents of its properties.

Jon said: “As Managing Director of the Gateshead Housing Company, I have seen first hand the difference made by the Community Foundation through grants awarded from our fund which we set up in 2007. So it’s a great pleasure to now be able to step into a trustee role and support the Foundation’s work with donors and funding partners from all walks of life who share in common the desire to make a difference in their community.”

Paul and Jon join a high-profile Board of trustees comprising senior leaders from the private, public and voluntary sectors who govern the Community Foundation and ensure it continues to make a difference to lives in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland and the wider region. Trustees also act as ambassadors, helping to inspire others to get involved in giving and philanthropy through the Foundation.

Fiona Cruickshank OBE, chair of the Community Foundation, said: “Every day we work with generous people and organisations to improve lives and realise potential here in the region now and for generations to come. Our trustees play a vital role in promoting the Foundation and ensuring our work is of the highest standard. So, we are delighted to have recruited people of Paul and Jon’s calibre and experience to our Board.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Adam Lopardo .