UK Community Foundations has appointed Cabinet Office director Emma de Closset as its next chief executive.

She joins in January and takes over from interim co-chief executives Ben Robinson and Kaveed Ali at the community foundations membership body.

De Closset has held several senior roles in Whitehall, including director of strategy for the National Citizen Service and chief operating officer for the UK’s G7 presidency in 2021.

She also represented the government at last year’s global AI Safety Summit.

“I am delighted to have been chosen as UKCF’s next Chief Executive, and I feel honoured to have this opportunity to champion the fantastic work of community foundations,” added de Closset, who is also a former management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group in the US.

“I am excited to help grow and deepen the impact that our network has in every postcode of the UK.

“Now more than ever, our communities face complex challenges, and I look forward to working with the UKCF team, our members and partners to build a more resilient and inclusive future for everyone.”

Robinson and Ali have been leading the organisation for the last five months since the departure of its last permanent CEO Rosemary Macdonald, who stepped down after four years to become director of partnerships at Investors in Community.

UK Community Foundations chair Andrew Tuggey added: “We are thrilled that Emma is coming to join us in the new year.

“We were very keen that community foundations had the opportunity to have input into the selection process, and I am delighted to say that Emma won the overwhelming backing of our diverse network of chairs and chief executives.

“I know they will all give her their full support when she takes up her new role. She has an infectious passion for place-based philanthropy and volunteering, and we know that she will bring her considerable experience to bear for the benefit of the whole network.”

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