National Lottery Community Fund announces new chairs for England and Scotland

01 Jul 2020 News

John Mothersole has been appointed England chair of the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF). 

Mothersole has been given the role for four years and has previously held senior local government posts.

Most recently he was chief executive of Sheffield City Council. Since standing down from that post in December 2019 after 11 years, he has taken on a series of non-executive roles which include chair-designate of The Sheffield College and trustee of a community care charity.

Mothersole’s early career was in the arts, primarily in London and the North East, and he sees the reopening of the Roundhouse in north London a highlight of that part of his career.

Mothersole said: “I am delighted and honoured. The NLCF is such a force for good in this country, so the opportunity to work with the team shaping its future impact as well as helping to oversee its current work was irresistible.

“I come to this role with a strong sense of both the responsibility and of what I can give in terms of my own long experience working with communities and helping to make the right things happen. My emphasis will always be on impact and sustainability, and the Fund is especially well placed in delivering that.”

Tony Burton CBE had been appointed as interim chair of the NLCF until August, taking over from former Conservative MP Peter Ainsworth, who had been chair since 2011.

Scotland chair 

Kate Still will become the Scotland chair of the NLCF.

Still is director for Scotland at the Prince’s Trust and was a board member of ERSA for many years.

She began her career as a teacher, and has over 25 years of experience in delivery of education, apprenticeships, skills, employability and community enterprise and regeneration programmes across multiple sectors, including 15 years in the charity sector.

Still said: “I am honoured to be appointed to the role of chair with the NLCF in Scotland. I look forward to supporting people tackle the issues that matter most to them to improve lives and build stronger communities that put people in the lead.”

Stronger communities 

Both candidates will be paid £24,000 per year. 

They were required to declare any significant political activity in the last five years. This is defined as holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation or candidature for election. Neither of them declared any activity.

Dawn Austwick, chief executive of NLCF, said: “With over a decade of experience leading Sheffield Council, and even longer spent in local authorities across the UK, John has seen first-hand that when people are in the lead, communities thrive.

“With Kate’s background and expertise in employment and skills, she knows that people understand, better than anyone, what’s needed in their communities.

“As chairs of our England and Scotland committees, their vision will help us to fulfil our fundamental purpose of awarding National Lottery money to help create stronger, more connected communities across the UK.”

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