John Kingston, founder and director of Charities Aid Foundation’s social investment arm Venturesome has been appointed by The Association of Charitable Foundations as its new chair, taking office in September.

Kingston will take over from Clare Thomas whose six year term of office is expiring. The switch will take place at the organisation’s AGM in September. Thomas said:

“John has a track record of successful leadership of a membership body as well as extensive experience of the wider funding environment. He is very well placed to take forward ACF’s work at a time when, arguably, its work has never been so important and so needed.”

Earlier this year Kingston was awarded an OBE for services to the voluntary sector. Prior to working at Venturesome Kingston worked for 3i Group for 15 years before becoming director at Save the Children UK in 1990 with responsibility for fundraising and marketing. He was the chair of the Institute of Fundraising between 2000 and 2002, and is currently chair of the Social Investment Market Group and of the Nationwide Foundation.