Mark Barnett announced as new Chair

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Barnett as our new Chair of Trustees, along with two Vice Chairs and four new Board members.

Since joining the Board in 2021, Mark has played an integral role in guiding our work, and steps up to the role of Chair after serving as Vice Chair. He has also contributed his time and expertise as a panel member across several of our grants programmes.

Mark brings extensive leadership experience to the role, after spending 12 years as Chief Operating Officer at The Consortium in Trowbridge before co-founding Responsible Homes in 2018. Alongside his involvement with the Foundation, Mark also serves as a trustee of Doorway in Chippenham.

Mark will be supported in his new role by Damian Haasjes and Lisa Lewis, who have been appointed to the roles of joint Vice Chair. Damian, who currently works at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, has been on our Board since 2023. Lisa has extensive knowledge of running a charity, following 13 years at Doorway, including nine as CEO. She has been a Trustee with us since 2019.

This follows the news that Angus Macpherson has stepped down after four years in the role. Angus, who first joined the Foundation in 2006 before returning to our Board more recently, will continue to serve as a Trustee. During his tenure as Chair, he played a key role in delivering our highly successful 2020-2025 strategy, during which £10.9 million was invested in grants and support across Wiltshire and Swindon.

We are also pleased to share the appointment of four new Trustees; Alison Bradley, Jules Peck, Karen Davis, and Tessa Hibbert, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the Board. Collectively, they strengthen our Board with a broad mix of skills and perspectives, drawn from backgrounds in education, sustainable development, the voluntary sector, and grant-making organisations.

Speaking about his appointment as Chair, Mark Barnett said: “I’m honoured to take on the role of Chair after three years as a Trustee and Vice Chair of Wiltshire & Swindon Community Foundation. It’s a wonderful organisation that makes a lasting difference to people’s lives across our communities.

“I’m passionate about using my experience to help raise funds, support local charities, and ensure those most in need receive the help they deserve.”

Our joint Chief Executive, Fiona Oliver, added: “We are absolutely delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Barnett as our new Chair, alongside the appointments of Alison, Jules, Tessa, and Karen, who will all bring a variety of valuable new skills and insight to our Board.

“Mark knows the organisation inside out, he also brings great experience and insight as we look to build on the success of the previous five years and embark on an ambitious new strategy. We are so pleased that he has agreed to take on the role of Chair. We are very pleased that he will be supported by the brilliant Lisa and Damian, as our new Vice Chairs.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our previous Chair, Angus Macpherson, for all of his hard work, and dedication in the role over the past four years. We are thrilled that he will remain a Trustee with us and continue using his knowledge and experience to help us change lives across the county.”