Jenny North is the Director of our member The Clothworkers’ Foundation, where she leads on the implementation of their grantmaking and social investment work. Previously Jenny was Deputy CEO at Dartington Service Design Lab, where she supported funders, charities, and local authorities on strategy and programme development, implementation, and evaluation. She is also a Non-Exec Director, and Chair of the Grants and Evaluation Committee at Youth Futures Foundation.
Jenny was elected at our AGM earlier this week, held as part of the Autumn Conference. It was fantastic to bring so many of you together with funders, changemakers and civil society leaders from across the globe to explore how we can work in solidarity with the communities we support.
Reflecting on her appointment, Jenny said: “I’m delighted to be taking on the role of Chair at London Funders. It’s easy for funders to operate alone, but essential they work together to make the biggest impact. Together with our incredible members and partners, I am excited to help guide London Funders as it continues building capacity and enabling collaboration which ensures that funding really works for the city’s communities".
It’s easy for funders to operate alone, but essential they work together to make the biggest impact.
Jenny North, new Chair of London Funders
Vice Chair of the Board, Edith Galliers, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jenny as the new Chair of London Funders. Her exceptional leadership qualities, demonstrated through her work at the Clothworkers’ Foundation, where she has driven strategic change, fostered collaboration, and championed equity and justice, make her the perfect choice for this role. Jenny's deep understanding of the funding landscape, combined with her extensive governance experience and her inspiring, collegiate approach, stood out during the recruitment process. We are confident her vision and commitment will help drive forward London Funders’ mission to build a better, more equitable city."
At the Conference, tributes were paid to outgoing Chair David Farnsworth, who joined the London Funders Board in 2015. David is the Managing Director of City Bridge Foundation and leaves a lasting legacy for London Funders, having supported the organisation to deliver a number of ground breaking funder collaborations during his tenure including the funder response to the Grenfell Tower fire, the London Community Response to covid-19, and more recently establishing the Collaboration Circle, a new space for pooled funds.
In recognition of David’s contribution to London’s communities, our CEO James Banks announced a new programme which will see London Funders employ people with lived experience of seeking refuge on paid projects that enable them to consider a career in the funding sector.
The Farnsworth Fellowship will provide paid placements, supported by a training and development programme, where refugees can see the range of roles and opportunities within the funding sector. London Funders will work with refugee community organisations to develop the fellowship with a view to recruiting their first Fellow next year.
James Banks said: “Before joining the funding sector, David held a number of roles with organisations working with refugees and asylum seekers. His commitment to people fleeing persecution, violence and conflict continued to be clear to us all in his consistent championing of equity and justice at London Funders. This fellowship is a fitting way to not only recognise this contribution, but help to bring more diversity of experience and ideas into the funding community.”