Foundation supporting Cambridgeshire communities appoints ex-food industry CEO as new chair

Stephen has spent over 30 years in the food and food ingredients industry. He is the former CEO of Associated British Foods PLC Ingredients division and a former divisional president of Danisco (DuPont).

He currently has his own advisory, non-executive and consulting business which has a special focus on mergers and acquisitions in nutrition and wellness. He is also currently a non-executive director of BRAIN-Biotech AG in Germany and chair of the trustee board of FoodCycle, a UK national charity.

Stephen is married with two adult children and has been a resident of Cambridge for 25 years.

CCF is Cambridgeshire’s community philanthropic leader dedicated to improving the quality of life for the people of the county. They work with many partners to:

• Actively inspire philanthropy and increase resources for Cambridgeshire communities

• Invest in important community programmes through grants programmes – last year CCF awarded 750 grants totalling £2,426,788

• Provide leadership, research, and a forum for dialogue on critical community issues.

Michael O’Toole, CEO of Cambridgeshire Community Foundation, said: “I am delighted Stephen has joined the board of trustees. We have made over £17 million worth of grants supporting local community groups and charities over the past 16 years.

“The past year has been momentous for CCF. Not only has our regular work continued but we have also taken the leading role in Cambridgeshire to inspire and fund a huge community response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“In just 10 months CCF created the Cambridgeshire Coronavirus Community Fund which raised and dispersed almost £1.4 million for projects tackling the pandemic. We have been honoured to contribute something so positive during a very difficult time.

“I believe that this has reinforced our role to lead Cambridgeshire philanthropy and our expertise in understanding communities’ challenges and emerging needs across our county. Perhaps never has empowering community response been more important than in meeting the longer-term challenges the pandemic will bring, particularly to the most vulnerable in our communities.

“However, we must do much more. We must inspire and grow philanthropy to help more people overcome significant disadvantages and barriers. I know Stephen’s expertise will help us to grow our impact significantly so that we can support many more people and communities across our amazing county.”

Stephen said: “This is a hugely exciting time for me and I am delighted to be joining CCF as a trustee. CCF led by Michael and our current chair, Simon Humphrey, are doing an outstanding job. I hope that my knowledge, skill and experience can help CCF in delivering on its goals in the coming years. I am looking forward to working alongside the other fantastic trustees to support Michael and his team.

“What really inspired me to join CCF is our unique local approach which is based upon empowering communities to bring about positive change from the ground up. Communities best understand the challenges they face and how to overcome these, especially in helping the most vulnerable.

“The inequalities and disadvantages that many face is wide-ranging. I know that many people and businesses want to help us in building opportunities for all. From projects supporting people to overcome health challenges, live independently, tackle isolation, through to projects to improve our environment and community assets - our impact is wide but is centred on improving the life chances of people across Cambridgeshire.”