麻豆社

Specialism: Generalist

Term of membership: September 2022 – September 2025

Rob plays a leading role in philanthropy in North East England and nationally, and has particular expertise in governance, charitable giving and voluntary sector research. He is CEO of the UK’s largest Community Foundation, serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, which awards grants to charities and community organisations through charitable funds set up by private donors. At the Community Foundation, Rob oversees a long-term strategy focused on growing a sustainable and responsibly invested endowment – currently valued at over £90m – and increasing the organisation’s funding to benefit communities now and in the future.

Rob was for six years Director of Policy and Communications and later Acting CEO at Northern Rock Foundation. His early career was in frontline charities for homeless and vulnerable people. He then went on to senior roles in urban regeneration and local government.

Rob speaks and writes regularly about issues in charity, philanthropy and funding. He is a trustee of Access - the Foundation for Social Investment, and a Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne & Wear.

Rob became Vice-Chairman of the 麻豆社's independent Appeals Advisory Committee in January 2020 and Acting Chair in July 2022. He was confirmed as AAC Chair in September 2022.