Press release

Big Lottery Fund Board Members appointed

Astrid Bonfield and Tony Burton have been appointed to the Board of the Big Lottery Fund.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

19 October 2012

CAB 113-12

The Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude has appointed Astrid Bonfield, Chief Executive of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, and Tony Burton, former Director of Policy and Communications at the Design Council, to the Board of the Big Lottery Fund.

Both new Board members have extensive track records working with the voluntary sector and will bring great expertise to the role, as well as a fresh perspective. Astrid Bonfield brings impressive experience in grant-giving, while Tony Burton has a strong background of leadership positions in major national charities.

The Big Lottery Fund is the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding and is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need by making grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. The Board is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the Fund - making sure that it delivers its goals and has the advice and support it needs.

Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude said:

The Big Lottery Fund plays a crucial role in supporting the voluntary sector, and is responsible for giving out nearly half of the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.

Astrid Bonfield and Tony Burton will bring invaluable new expertise to the Board of the Big Lottery Fund, where they can make an important contribution to its vital work.

Notes to editors

  1. Dr Astrid Bonfield is the Chief Executive of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust and The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund; she was previously Director of Policy at the Aga Khan Foundation. She is a member of the Global Philanthropy Leadership Initiative and has previously chaired both the European Funders Group for HIV/Aids and the Corston Coalition of Independent Grantmakers.
  2. Tony Burton CBE was until recently the Director of Policy and Communications at the Design Council; previously he was Founder Director of Civic Voice and has also worked at the National Trust and the Campaign to Protect Rural England. He was awarded the CBE in the Jubilee Honours for services to planning, local government and community.
  3. The appointments were the subject of an open recruitment exercise following the Code of Practice set out by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
  4. The expected time commitment is an average of three days per month, and the appointees will receive remuneration of £7,848 pa. The appointments are for up to 4 years from the end of November 2012, with the option of reappointment for a second term.
  5. All appointments are made on merit. In accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any is declared) to be made public. The successful candidates did not declare any political activity.
Published 19 October 2012