WILTSHIRE & Swindon Community Foundation has announced the appointment of Mark Barnett as their new chair of trustees, along with two vice chairs and four new board members.

Mark has played an integral role in guiding the organisation’s work since joining the board in 2021 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 the foundation’s grants programmes.

Mark brings extensive leadership experience after spending 12 years as chief operating officer at The Consortium in Trowbridge before co-founding Responsible Homes in 2018.

He said: “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.”

Mark will be supported by new joint vice chairs Damian Haasjes and Lisa Lewis.

Damian, who currently works at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, has been on the board since 2023. Lisa has extensive knowledge of running a charity, following 13 years at Doorway, including nine as CEO, and has been a trustee since 2019.

The foundation has appointed four new trustees: Alison Bradley, Jules Peck, Karen Davis and Tessa Hibbert.

Collectively, they have broad backgrounds in education, sustainable development, the voluntary sector and grant-making organisations.

Angus Macpherson, who stepped down as chair of trustees after four years, first joined the foundation in 2006, before returning to the board more recently, and will continue to serve as a trustee.

During chair tenure, he played a key role in delivering the foundation’s 2020-2025 strategy, during which £10.9 million was invested in grants and support across Wiltshire and Swindon.

The foundation, the largest grant-giving organisation in Wiltshire and Swindon, is proudly celebrating its 50th anniversary, and has to date awarded more than £26.8 million in grants.