National Lottery Community Fund boss to step down at the end of the year

03 Jun 2020 News

Dawn Austwick, chief executive of the National Lottery Community Fund, will leave her job at the end of the year.

The NLCF confirmed the decision this afternoon, after Austwick emailed the Fund’s partners earlier today to let them know her plans.

'Great shape'

Austwick's email, seen by Civil Society News, says: “This is a decision I made earlier in the year but put on hold with the onset of Covid-19. Some of you will know that I had always planned to lead the Fund for between four and seven years.”

She adds: “The Fund is in great shape and I know it will go from strength to strength led by a strong board and an excellent senior management team. The board will shortly commence the process to appoint my successor.”

Austwick concludes: “I remain fully and energetically committed to leading the Fund through the next few months.”

In a statement, Tony Burton, the chair of trustees at NLCF, said: “I am sure I speak on behalf of us all in recognising Dawn's immense service in strengthening the Fund over her seven years. Her passion and commitment has paid dividends and never more so than in the way we have been able to respond to communities in the midst of a national crisis.

“Her leadership will no doubt leave a positive mark on communities across the UK as the country emerges into recovery and rebuild.”

Covid delivery

Austwick joined NLCF in 2013 from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.

The NLCF is currently delivering the government’s package of financial support for small charities in England. Applications for the first £200m of the fund opened last month.

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