ACF announces Karen Everett as incoming chair of the board of trustees
30 April 2025
The Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) today announced that Karen Everett, CEO of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts (SFCT), will be appointed as chair of the board of trustees. Karen will initially join as a vice-chair, before formally assuming the role of chair at ACF's AGM in June.
Karen brings extensive leadership experience from her role at SFCT, the umbrella organisation of 20 grant-making trusts and charities that collectively give grants of over £100m annually.
Her appointment comes at a pivotal time as ACF continues to strengthen its support for foundations that are navigating mounting funding demands from a voluntary sector reeling from ongoing government cutbacks and growing need.
"Karen's deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing charitable foundations, coupled with her experience in wider civil society, makes her an ideal leader to guide ACF into its next chapter," said Carol Mack, chief executive of ACF. "Her proven track record in strategic philanthropy and strong governance experience will be invaluable as we work to enhance our support for members."
At SFCT, Karen has successfully guided a variety of strategic grant-making initiatives and fostered innovative approaches across the trusts and more widely. Prior to her role at SFCT, she held senior positions at Arthritis UK and several UK universities.
Karen has a strong background in finance and resources and has served on numerous boards of trustees throughout her career, ranging from a founding trustee director of a small youth theatre charity to chair of governors for one of the largest sixth form colleges in the country, and including a wide range of other trustee/ director and committee roles.
"I am honoured to take on this role at such an important time for charitable trusts and foundations," said Karen. "Foundations have a critical part to play in addressing society's most pressing challenges, and ACF is instrumental in helping them maximise their impact. I look forward to working with the board, staff, and members to build on ACF’s strong foundations and together be more than the sum of our parts."
Karen will succeed Jessica Brown, who has served as chair since 2022 and as a trustee of the board since 2019. Under Jessica's time on the board, ACF has expanded its membership by 15%, launched the Stronger Foundations initiative, and successfully advocated for the foundation model of giving with government and regulators.
"On behalf of ACF and our members, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Jessica for her dedicated service and visionary leadership," said Carol Mack. "Her contributions have significantly strengthened ACF and positioned us well for the future."
Jessica commented: "It has been a privilege to serve as chair of ACF and to work alongside such dedicated trustees and staff. I am confident that Karen will bring fresh perspectives and strong leadership to the role, and I look forward to supporting a smooth transition."
Karen will formally take over as chair at ACF's AGM in June 2025.