Local charity, the Community Foundation Wakefield District, is delighted to announce the appointment of Craig Shepherd (pictured) as its new Chief Executive.
Craig will leave his current position as CEO for Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation in August. During his time at Wakefield Trinity, Craig has helped the charity to sustain its reach and impact over the longer term and also collected the Brand Yorkshire Business Awards Charity of the Year Award. More recently, they received a nomination for Betfred Super League Foundation of the Year.
Craig said, “I’m delighted to be appointed as the new CEO of the Community Foundation Wakefield District, a region I’ve become deeply passionate about over the last eight years as a resident and four years supporting the communities of the entire district, in my previous role. I’ve big shoes to fill, Murray Edwards has been a terrific leader during the time I’ve known him in post, but I’m confident the exceptional team we have, whether volunteers, staff or Board of Trustees, will continue that work and hopefully build upon it. We are climbing out of a tough pandemic, there’s work to do and I can’t wait to get started!”
Murray Edwards has been involved in the Community Foundation since the beginning. Firstly, as a Trustee, when he was Executive Director of the Theatre Royal Wakefield, and then for the last 5 years as Foundation Director. Murray is retiring in the autumn and his swan song will be the prestigious Unsung Heroes Awards on 1 October.
David Dinmore, Chairman of Trustees said, “Craig will bring valuable experience in the charity sector to the Community Foundation at a pivotal time in its development. The pandemic has placed new and heavy demands on the Foundation’s work to support those in need in Wakefield District. Whilst we are proud of what we have achieved so far, we anticipate a requirement to enhance our activities in the aftermath of Covid-19 and Craig’s talents and track record will allow us to continue the outstanding work that Murray has done for us until now.”
Craig will also continue as Chair of the ‘We Are Wakefield’ Business Network.
The Community Foundation has been supporting the most vulnerable people in the Wakefield District since 2008. Over the past 13 years it has distributed over £1.75 million to 2,900 organisations and individuals across the Metropolitan District which has had a direct impact on over 30,000 people.
