Grantee portal 
Sarah Glendinning
The Community Foundation has welcomed three new trustees from the business and voluntary sectors.
Sarah Glendinning is the North East Regional Director for national business organisation the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), representing its members’ interests at a local, national and international level. Building on her commercial background, Sarah works to improve economic opportunity in the region and liaises with the three combined authorities on economic and education projects. She chairs the North East LEP’s North East Ambition and is part of its Skills Advisory Panel. She is part of the CBI Women in Leadership group, a member of Newcastle University Court and supports the Prince’s Trust and Greggs breakfast clubs, and is an observer on the Board of Innovative North East.
On her appointment Sarah said:
“Businesses and business owners in our region have a long and strong record of giving back to communities. Becoming a trustee is an incredibly important role and I look forward to supporting the vital work of the Community Foundation with charities and community organisations not only through its funding programmes but also its skills sharing programmes bringing business and the charitable sector together.”
Stella Simbo
Stella Simbo is the Volunteers Coordinator at Success4All CIO. Having served as a primary school teacher, both in the UK and abroad, for over a decade, Stella made the transition to the voluntary sector in 2017. As Volunteers Coordinator at the local educational charity, Stella engages, trains and supports young people, as well as older volunteers to engage, equip and empower young people so they are best placed to fulfil their potential and create a bright future. Previously, she worked for the Anne Frank Trust, delivering workshops in primary and secondary schools in Newcastle aimed at tacking prejudice and discrimination as well as running social action projects with youth groups. She is a member of the Sierra Leonean Association Tyne & Wear and the North East of England African Community Association.
Stella adds:
‘My first knowledge of Community Foundation was in its capacity as a provider of quality support services to charities, when I accessed some training the organisation delivered. The work that the foundation does in empowering communities is multi-faceted and incredibly important and I welcome the opportunity to take on the role of trustee to support and help to shape this work and bring greater representation of small charities and those from minoritised ethnic backgrounds.’
Fiona Standfield
Fiona Standfield is Chief Operating Officer, Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. She began her career as a civil servant in Whitehall, subsequently teaching modern languages and working in the House of Commons before joining Royal Mail plc where she worked for 13 years, culminating as Director of a UK-wide IT Programme. Since returning to the North East, Fiona has developed a portfolio career, including her own consultancy providing language services, project management and business development support. She has held interim leadership roles with Newcastle Science City and Safe Families for Children. A former chair of an NHS Mental Health and Learning Disability Trust, Fiona is also employed by the Ministry of Justice as a Specialist Lay Member of Mental Health Tribunals. Fiona is a Trustee of Vindolanda, Chair of Northumberland-based theatre company November Club, a judge for the North East Accountancy Awards and a member of the Charity Advisory Panel for Age UK Northumberland.
“What I admire about the Community Foundation serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland is its sense of purpose and the significant positive impact it has across our region. It’s a truly impressive organisation and deserves our support.”
See all our Board Members