Melanie Craig appointed new Chief Executive for Suffolk Community Foundation
The Suffolk Community Foundation is delighted to advise that, following an extensive search, Melanie Craig has been appointed as its next Chief Executive Officer.
Melanie joins the Foundation following a long and highly successful career in the National Health Service and will take up the CEO role at the beginning of September when she concludes her current role as Director of General Practice, National Primary Care Team for NHS England.
Melanie has spent most of her career in the NHS working in or close to Suffolk, and prior to her current role was Chief Executive in the Norfolk and Waveney NHS for five years. Her experience of working in health provision has given her a deep understanding of the needs of Suffolk and the wider region which will be vital in extending the Community Foundation’s reach and support into the greatest areas of need across our county.
Melanie was born and brought up in Ipswich and her own family have lived in Ipswich for 18 years. She is an avid supporter of Ipswich Town Football Club and enjoys Park Run every Saturday.
We could not have found a better person to take over the reins from Stephen as he moves on into a new role with the Foundation. Melanie brings a wealth of knowledge of the needs of the county and leadership experience from her distinguished career with the National Health Service which will be instrumental in taking the Foundation to a higher level in the coming years.
I am thrilled to be offered the opportunity to lead such an important charity in my home county. The Suffolk Community Foundation has achieved some amazing things, especially over these last two difficult years. Further challenges lie ahead with the rising cost of living and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The work of the Suffolk Community Foundation will be crucial during this period as people rebuild their lives and helping those most in need. I look forward to working with the wonderful team of staff, volunteers, trustees, partners and donors.
As the founding CEO of the Suffolk Community Foundation, Stephen Singleton is relinquishing his current role after 17 years of magnificent service and will take up a new role as Executive Vice Chair, focusing on strategic projects in support of his successor.
We wish both Melanie and Stephen all the best for their next career roles, and look forward to the future for Suffolk Community Foundation.