Charity Commission Chair welcomes new board member

A new non-executive director based in Yorkshire, who is a professional accountant, chair of a housing association and former chair of a local hospice joins the Commission’s board.

Baroness Stowell of Beeston MBE, Chair of the Charity Commission, has welcomed the appointment of Will Lifford to the regulator’s Board.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport today announced his appointment by the Secretary of State. Will Lifford’s three year term began on 18th January 2021 and he replaces Mike Ashley, whose term of office ended in November 2020.

Will Lifford is a Chartered Accountant who for 25 years was a partner at Grant Thornton, retiring in 2007 as UK Senior Audit Partner. In the last 13 years he has held a number of non-executive board positions in the charitable and wider public sector. These include: Chair of Martin House Children’s Hospice (until 2017), board member of the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (until 2020) and Entrust, regulator of the Landfill Communities Fund (until 2015).

Will Lifford is currently Chair of Yorkshire Housing, a housing association with 18,000 homes across Yorkshire. He is also a board member of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority and chairs its audit and risk assurance committee.

Baroness Stowell said:

I am really pleased to welcome Will to the Commission. He brings more regional diversity to the Board and together with his extensive knowledge and experience in the fields of accountancy and audit, as well as his experience of strategic leadership in the voluntary sector and regulation, will make a vital contribution to the Commission as we continue to ensure charity can thrive and inspire trust – all the more important during these challenging times.

Will Lifford said:

I am delighted to have been appointed to the Charity Commission and look forward to working with the rest of the Board and the executive team. The Commission plays a vital role in ensuring charities maximise their impact in society, and I look forward to helping ensure the Commission delivers on its ambitious strategy in the years ahead.