Groundwork appoints its development director as new CEO

12 Mar 2014 News

Environmental charity Groundwork has announced that Graham Duxbury, currently its development director, is to become its new chief executive, replacing Sir Tony Hawkhead.

Graham Duxbury

Environmental charity Groundwork has announced that Graham Duxbury, currently its development director, is to become its new chief executive, replacing Sir Tony Hawkhead.

Duxbury has worked for Groundwork for more than 15 years, during which time, the charity said "he has forged a number of partnerships with government, the private and public sectors which have contributed to Groundwork’s growth in recent years".

In 2011, Groundwork had an income of around £68m, but this has dropped significantly since to around £35m, due in part to loss of government funding.

"Groundwork is entering a new phase in its history that’s full of opportunity but not without its challenges," Duxbury said. "As demand for our projects and services grows we need to be ever more creative and resourceful to ensure we can deliver."

The charity's 2015 goals are to improve 1,000 spaces, help 100,000 households out of fuel poverty and support 10,000 people into education, training and work.

Since being established on Merseyside in the early 1980s, Groundwork has had only two previous national chief executives. The first was the late John Davidson, who founded the charity.  

Sir Tony Hawkhead took over in 1996 after a career in government. He is leaving to join Action for Children as chief executive at the end of the month.