From a funder to foundation chair

Grants charity the Milton Keynes Community Foundation has appointed Matthew Downton as its chair of trustees. Mr Downton is an experienced strategic and operational change leader, a qualified Chartered Management Accountant and the current director of finance, operations and projects for professional standards at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

He succeeds Kurshida Mirza who has completed her threeyear term as chair. She has been a trustee for five years.

“The Community Foundation represents all that is positive about charities,” said Mr Downton. “It has a bold and relevant strategy and a strong record of success.

“Our Vital Signs research guides our strategy, and the organisation listens to and supports the voices of local charities. It is key that we send funding where it is most needed and therefore our priorities include poverty, inclusion, the environment, and sustainability.”

Reflecting on her three years as chair, Ms Murza said: “My aim has been to lead by example and this has permeated in the positive changes we have made not only in terms of equity, diversity and inclusion but also to our way of working from the introduction of key performance information for each area of our work measured and scrutinised