Laura Fearnall has become the first female chair of Chester Bluecoat Charity, which has worked to tackle the root causes of poverty in the city for over 800 years.
She replaces Neil Davies, who stood down after three years as chair and over a decade on the board altogether.
Fearnall joined the charity’s board four years ago. She has 20 years of experience in the press relations and communications sector.
Currently, she is managing director of LUYA, a PR and communications service, and was previously a director of THIRTY PR.
Fearnall is also a governor at the private school Queen’s School, Chester and has been since January 2020.
Chester Bluecoat Charity is a small charity that has a part-time CEO who was appointed last year, Mike Jenkins.
The charity has two full-time members of staff who take care of its building and almshouses.
‘Honour and a privilege’
Speaking on her appointment, Fearnall commented: “It is an honour and a privilege to accept this role. I am extremely passionate about what the Chester Bluecoat Charity stands for and what it has the potential to offer the city and surrounding areas.
“Along with an impressive board of trustees who already do so much for Chester, we are committed to building upon the solid foundations of the charity to help create more positive outcomes for many in our Chester community who are experiencing poverty or disadvantage.
“2024 is set to be an exciting and pioneering year for the Chester Bluecoat Charity as we aim to support in ways we have never explored before, as well as working with more partners, charities and voluntary organisations to help more people than ever before.”
