Cumbria, UK – On Wednesday, September 24th, 2025, Cumbria Community Foundation announced the resignation of its long-serving Chair, David Beeby. After nearly a decade on the board of trustees, Beeby has reached the maximum term limit for the position.
During his tenure, Beeby has led the award-winning grant-making organization through a period of significant growth and uncertainty in the charity sector. This included navigating challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic and rising cost of living.
Under Beeby’s leadership, the Foundation’s annual grant-making budget increased from £2 million to over £6 million, and its endowed assets grew from £15 million to over £32 million. He has been a driving force behind the Foundation’s success, providing support and guidance to the board and executive team. He has also been a dedicated fund holder and advocate for philanthropy.
One of Beeby’s most significant contributions was the creation of the Better Tomorrows Fund. This initiative, developed in collaboration with Cumbria Youth Alliance and Francis Scott Trust, aims to support young people facing challenges in the wake of the pandemic. The fund has provided funding for professional youth work training and created new youth worker positions, benefiting over 5,000 young people in Cumbria.
Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive of Cumbria Community Foundation, expressed his gratitude for Beeby’s contributions, stating, “We are all extremely grateful to David for his passion, wisdom, commitment, and generosity in the role of Chair. His dedication to improving the lives of young people in our communities is truly admirable, and we thank him for all he has done.”
Beeby also established the Beeby Family Fund with the community foundation, which has provided grants to numerous projects supporting children and young people in the county. He has also been a mentor for the Foundation’s Positive Enterprise program, supporting young entrepreneurs, and has spent time meeting with community groups to better understand their needs.
Reflecting on his time as Chair, Beeby shared, “Cumbria Community Foundation truly connects people who care with causes that matter in so many wonderful and inspirational ways. It has been a joy to be a part of that journey over the last nine years.”
At the Foundation’s recent board meeting, Myles Thompson was formally appointed as the new Chair. Thompson, a former Chartered accountant and audit partner with KPMG, is also a trustee of the Lake District Calvert Trust and a member of the Carlisle Cathedral finance committee.
Thompson expressed his gratitude for Beeby’s dedication and is eager to continue the Foundation’s important work. “I am honoured to have been appointed as Chair of Cumbria Community Foundation. The Foundation is a wonderful organization that does so much to support the communities across Cumbria. I am looking forward to finding out more about the great organizations that the Foundation supports and to meet our many supporters across the county,” he said.
The Foundation’s 2023 to 2028 strategy will be a key focus for Thompson as he takes on his new role. “I would like to thank David Beeby for his dedication to the Foundation over the last nine years. He has left it in great shape to meet our strategic priorities,” he added.
The news of Beeby’s resignation was distributed by the press release distribution service, Pressat, on behalf of Cumbria Community Foundation.
