Staff
Chief Executive
Andy Beeforth OBE
Andy joined the Community Foundation in September 1999 as the first and only member of staff. Before then he had various roles as a Researcher with the Forestry Commission, Social Care Worker, Community Transport Researcher and immediately before joining the Foundation was a Rural Community Officer and then Deputy Director with Voluntary Action Cumbria (now ACT). Andy studied at the University of Bradford where he gained a 1st Class honours degree in Environmental Science. His first connection with Cumbria was through his late wife Dora who grew up in Bowness on Windermere. He has become a leading figure in philanthropy in the UK leading the Foundation and its fund development for over 20 years. Promoting philanthropy and engaging donors with many of Cumbria’s inspirational volunteers and groups is what motivates him most. He was made an OBE for services to the voluntary sector in 2010. Away from work Andy enjoys time with his partner Alice and her two children and when able spends time cycling, sea kayaking, singing, playing the guitar and exploring remote places in Lucy, his 1974 VW Camper van.
Telephone: 01900 820822 Email: andy@cumbriafoundation.org
Finance Director
Andrew Benson
Andrew joined CCF in June 2014 initially to cover maternity leave but then decided to stay on! Andrew started working at Dodd & Co accountants in 2001 as a Trainee and passed his exams to become a Chartered Accountant in 2009. Andrew’s role is to manage the finances of the Foundation, along with servicing several committees and looking after the IT provision. Outside of the office Andrew is a keen cricketer playing in the Eden Valley Cricket League during the summer and attending England cricket games whenever possible. Andrew also enjoys spending time with his family and trying to keep up with his son!
Telephone: 01900 820829 Email: andrew@cumbriafoundation.org
Finance and HR Officer
Lynsey Stokes
Lynsey joined the team in October 2014 after relocating from North Wales. She has worked in finance for the last 15 years in various roles and is now broadening her horizons by studying for a CIPD qualification. Lynsey works with the Finance Director to monitor and control the company’s finances. She also sometimes wears a HR hat and helps with recruitment, policies and procedures, and other HR admin. Lynsey is mum to two very energetic and inquisitive boys, so most of her time outside work is taken up refereeing and going out on family walks. When she can, Lynsey likes to escape into a good book and enjoys fitness classes at the gym.
Telephone: 01900 820823 Email: lynsey@cumbriafoundation.org
Finance Administrator
Yvette Miskimin
Yvette has been a member of the CCF Team since 2018 and works closely with Andrew and Lynsey assisting in the day-to-day financial responsibilities. She is also part of a support team providing general administrative assistance when needed. Originally from the US, Yvette moved to Cumbria in 2003 and could not imagine living anywhere else. Working for the Foundation has allowed her to participate in giving back to the community that she calls home.
Telephone:01900 826012 Email: Yvette@cumbriafoundation.org
Relationships Officer
Caroline Adams
Caroline joined the team in May 2021 after having spent the last 13 years working in business support programmes. As Development Assistant she supports the work of the CEO and Head of Development as well as coordinating events and managing membership.
Caroline moved to West Cumbria in 2014 with her partner, his two sons and dog Barney. A relative newcomer to the area, she is still exploring Cumbria, finding new places to visit, enjoying a new found love of walking and the fresh air.
Telephone: 01900 820825 Email: caroline@cumbriafoundation.org
Development Assistant
Jackie Blacklock
Jackie joined Cumbria Community Foundation in May 2022. She has lived in Cumbria for most of her life and mainly worked in administration and the education sector. She started her career working at Sellafield and has held various posts since, most recently working as a teaching assistant in a local primary school. As Development Assistant she supports the work of the CEO and Development Team as well as coordinating events and managing membership. She is passionate about Cumbria, its heritage and the people who live here. Jackie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, walking on the fells and in the countryside with her dog.
Telephone: 01900 512392 Email: jackie@cumbriafoundation.org
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Director of Programmes & Partnerships
Dr Jenny Benson
Jenny was appointed Director of Programmes and Partnerships in September 2020 and leads the Foundation’s grantmaking. Passionate about working in partnership and encouraging collaborative working she draws upon extensive fundraising and fund programme management experience from the private, public and third sectors. She previously led the successful delivery of the Foundation’s £10.3m Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund 2015, which helped over 3,100 households and 200 community groups to recover from the devastating floods. Sharing her experience of disaster grantmaking, Jenny delivered a series of joint disaster fund workshops nationally with colleagues from the London Emergencies Trust and We Love Manchester Emergency Fund and helped inform the development of the National Emergencies Trust. Jenny also volunteers for different organisations. She loves spending time with her family & friends, biking and exploring the beautiful Cumbrian fells.
Telephone: 01900 829376 Email: jenny@cumbriafoundation.org
Senior Grants & Programmes Administrator
Kristine McGlothlin
Relocating from London where she worked as an executive administrator at Middle Temple, one of the Inns of Court, Kristine joined Cumbria Community Foundation in September 2014. She has an MA in Education and Human Development and taught English and British History before managing a university Study Abroad Programme. Kristine has lived and worked as a volunteer in Israel and Liberia, has travelled extensively in the UK and Europe as a Tour Director, and is a qualified Blue Badge Tour Guide of Cumbria. As Grants Administrator, Kristine processes the grant applications, manages grants data and the monitoring process, and organises visits to projects funded by CCF for trustees, committee members, staff, donors and fundholders. Kristine is a keen reader, passionate about the theatre, and happiest when in nature and helping out with the sheep on the farm.
Telephone: 01900 820826 Email: Kristine@cumbriafoundation.org
Senior Grants & Programmes Officer
Ellen Clements
Ellen joined Cumbria Community Foundation in May 2010. She previously worked for the Crown Prosecution Service as a Paralegal based in the Courts in Carlisle, so within her work has seen all different aspects of life within communities. She has also run her own business while bringing up her two children. Ellen is part of a team of Grants Officers who each have their own funds and as part of her work, she supports fundholders, potential donors and advises applicants. She likes to keep abreast of what is happening in the county which is a large part of her work, she also administers and supports a number of grants committees. She likes to walk in the outdoors with her family and her dog Molly, as well as reading and visiting different countries around the world. In her spare time, she volunteers as a Justice of the Peace and also for a community organisation, this enables her to meet all different kinds of people from different backgrounds, which she enjoys. Ellen has lived in Cumbria all her life, she has traced her ancestry back to the 1600’s and all her descendants were born in Cumberland.
Telephone: 01900 820824 Email: ellen@cumbriafoundation.org
Senior Grants, Programmes & Communications Officer
Annalee Holliday
Born in Cumbria, Annalee moved away and returned in 2002. She has been with Cumbria Community Foundation since 2009, having previously worked for a social housing provider. In 2014, she completed the Aspiring Leaders Programme, combining formal academic teaching with experiential learning and personal development and gained a BA (Hons) degree in Social Enterprise Leadership. As part of her role at the Foundation, Annalee supports individuals and businesses with their philanthropic giving, advising on how best to invest their money in the community. She also leads on several strategic programmes and manages the charity’s marketing and PR, overseeing the communications strategy and publications. Committed to the third sector, Annalee is a founding member of a local charity, volunteers for the Henry Smith Charity, and has mentored young adults. In her spare time, she enjoys the gym and getting outdoors with her dog, Joey, and her friends and family.
Telephone: 01900 820827 Email: annalee@cumbriafoundation.org
Grants Officer
Sarah Thompson
Sarah joined Cumbria Community Foundation in August 2021. Sarah relocated to Cumbria with her partner and their son from London in 2013. Sarah has worked in various capacities within the charity sector for over 20 years. Away from work Sarah enjoys time with her family & friends, discovering new places to visit, walking & swimming.
Telephone: 01900 820827 Email: sarah@cumbriafoundation.org
Grants Officer
Lisa Blackwell
Lisa joined the Grants Team in 2022 as a Grants and Programmes Officer. Since graduating from the University of Northumbria Law School in 2007, Lisa has undertaken a variety of roles predominately within the VCSFE Sector; with her most recent role being an Office Manager and Funding officer for a local disability organisation. Cumbrian born and bred, Lisa is passionate about improving the lives of vulnerable people in the local community. Her roles within the Third Sector and specifically, within the field of funding and income generation, has enabled her to play a key part in developing projects that provide vital services in the local community, especially for people with a learning difficulty and/or autism.
In her spare time, Lisa is a pianist and voice over artist, and has lent her voice to local campaigns such as The Freedom Project and audio books such as ‘The Ash from the Storm’ by published author Hayley Cordley, from the series of books ‘Brandon and Bailey’. Lisa also enjoys playing the Kalimba, keeping fit at the gym, reading and spending time with friends and family.
Telephone: 01900 820827 Email: Lisa@cumbriafoundation.org
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Learning & Evaluation Officer
Liz Priddle
Liz joined Cumbria Community Foundation in September 2022. She has a Bsc (Hons) in Business Management (Accounting & Finance) and a PGDE in Primary Education and has lived and worked in Cumbria since 2017, working as a teacher in a local primary school. As part of her role within the Foundation, Liz will be developing our knowledge of Cumbria’s social and community problems and learning about the interventions that work – and those that don’t – using data to better understand and grow our impact.
In her spare time, Liz is a keen cricketer playing county cricket for Cumbria Women and locally for Egremont Cricket Club. She also enjoys running/walking with her toddler and dog, exploring Cumbria and spending time with friends and family.
Telephone: 01900 512394 Email: liz@cumbriafoundation.org
Age-Friendly Community Coordinator – South Lakeland
Caroline Smith
This new role aims to create a supportive, welcoming, and vibrant environment for older adults. Caroline plays an important role in supporting our ambition to build an Age Friendly community in South Lakeland. Caroline works with partner organisations, agencies, authorities and local residents to ensure more people have an opportunity to enjoy a good later life, and to reduce inequalities in aging.
Caroline has lived in Ulverston all her life and loves the community there. Her work life has been community-based for over 20 years and at the start of covid she co-founded Ulverston Isolation Group which has now become Ulverston Resilience Group.
Caroline has two grown-up children and a dog called Elvis and spends her free time walking the fells with him and having adventures in her micro camper.
Telephone: 01900 825760 Email: carolines@cumbriafoundation.org
