The Walcot Foundation is one of London’s longest established grant making foundations, with roots going back to 1618. Operating across Lambeth, the Foundation makes change happen for those affected by modern day poverty and disadvantage through breaking the cycles of financial deprivation for people in the borough. Over the ten years to March 2021 the Foundation made over 3,000 grants within Lambeth, totalling over £19m. The Foundation’s assets are currently valued at over £100 million, with the majority in property.
Walcot were looking for a Director to ensure the foundation’s success for another 400 years. This would include developing a future focus and strategy, building profile with stakeholders and ensuring staff are supported. The Director would also oversee grant making and opportunities to maximise income from assets.
We sought an inclusive leader with a track record of developing organisations and a passion for working with communities to improve lives. We focussed our search on leaders within London with experience of working closely with local communities, as well as those with experience of grant making. In particular we sought to reflect candidates from the ethnic communities that the Foundation serves; 67% are of African and/or Caribbean descent, and the remainder comprise people of South American and European descent, with 72% overall being female.
Marcia Asare was successfully appointed to the post from her position of Group Lead – ESG for City and Guilds Group. Marcia bought 15 years’ experience of driving grant-giving programmes using a system’s change approach, including raising awareness of disadvantaged young people and underrepresented communities, influencing stakeholders to shift mindsets around systemic issues, and building trust and transparency with applicants, funders, and staff. She also bought Trustee and Chair experience.