Corra Foundation has appointed Fiona Duncan as its new Chief Executive from 1st November 2014, succeeding Mary Craig OBE, the organisation’s Chief Executive since 2009.
Fiona, whose career in the voluntary sector spans over 20 years, joined the Foundation as Deputy Chief Executive in 2013. The Foundation recently launched a bold and innovative new three year strategy which Fiona has played a key role in developing. Her role as Chief Executive will see her lead the organisation as it moves away from financial reliance on an almost 30 year old covenant with Lloyds Banking Group to refocusing its core objectives.
Welcoming the new Chief Executive, Tim Hall, the Foundation’s Chairman, said:
“We are delighted to have Fiona as the Foundation’s new Chief Executive, leading the delivery of our new strategy. This focus will bring many benefits for those we work with in communities across Scotland. Fiona’s reputation for strategic delivery and her extensive knowledge of the voluntary sector make her the ideal person to take Foundation on to the next stage of its development.
“The contribution Mary has made to the organisation and the wider voluntary sector cannot be overestimated and, on behalf of the Board and staff, I thank her for all she has done. I am pleased that her ongoing part time involvement as a Strategic Advisor to the Foundation will enable us to continue to benefit from her vast experience.”
Speaking about her appointment, Fiona said:
“I’m excited to have been given the challenge of delivering the new strategy. The Foundation has gone through a significant period of change in recent years and is now firmly focused on the future and building on its reputation of delivering value beyond its grant making.
“Mary’s leadership has been key in helping the Foundation emerge from the last few years stronger and with a new sense of purpose and direction. The next few years will see the Foundation extend its impact in new directions whilst continuing to deliver targeted grant making.”
The Foundation’s new strategy focuses on three main strands:
• a fresh approach to grant making designed to increase opportunities and life chances for people who are, or are at risk of, disadvantage;
• a new place-based approach to community empowerment that focuses on building dynamic relationships in areas which don’t benefit from traditional grant making;
• and maximising the impact of its funding by sharing knowledge, skills and expertise with groups and individuals. This includes establishing a social enterprise to provide accessible, flexible support for other grant-makers.
