Northern Rock Foundation

Commenting on the decision, Chairman of the Foundation Alastair Balls said “The Trustees recognised Penny’s outstanding qualities and reputation in her former role as Chief Executive of Museums, Libraries and Archives, North East. She has a strong track record in partnership working and strategic development regionally and nationally and has led and managed a range of organisations.

“She has extensive experience in the cultural sector but also has a strong understanding and passion for our work in social justice.“

Penny Wilkinson was Chief Executive of MLA North East for 3 years, promoting innovation and best practice in the museums, libraries and archives in the North East. Prior to this she was Deputy Chief Executive.

Her early career began in Hull City Museums before she moved to the North East and a role at Wansbeck District Council. In 1995 she was appointed Deputy Director of North East Museums.

She obtained a degree at University of Sussex and a Post Graduate qualification at the University of Leicester and she is currently studying for an MA in Cultural Management at Northumbria University.

Northern Rock Foundation was established in 1998 as a grant making organisation. In 11 years it has made grants of almost £190 million and has earned a reputation for innovative grant making in a range of social and cultural issues with the main objective of the promotion of social justice.

Penny Wilkinson said “I am delighted to have been appointed as Chief Executive for the Northern Rock Foundation. I have always been impressed by the work of the Foundation which has made a major contribution to improving the quality of life in North East England and Cumbria and I look forward to continuing this work, particularly in the area of social justice. “

In 2009 the Foundation plans to make grants and other investments totalling over £11 million. They have recently announced their latest funding round when the Trustees awarded 22 grants totalling £1,716,006. As the Foundation announced these grants, Chairman of the Foundation Alastair Balls said “The Foundation has always placed a great emphasis on helping people who are homeless, vulnerable or living in poverty and those who are victims of abuse or discrimination. The organisations funded in this round are working creatively and effectively to help people working in difficult circumstances in the North East and Cumbria to overcome barriers and improve their lives”

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Notes to editors

Northern Rock Foundation is a charity and company limited by guarantee with an independent Board of Trustees that makes all decisions on governance, finance and policy. The Foundation aims to tackle disadvantage and improve quality of life in North East England and Cumbria. To do this, it invests money, time and expertise in charitable activities using several tools including grants, loans, training, research and demonstration projects. The Foundation’s work is delivered by a professional staff team of 13 based in Newcastle upon Tyne.
The Foundation was established when Northern Rock demutualised in 1997. Up to December 2007, the bank gave, by covenant, 5% of its annual pre-tax profits to the Foundation, totalling more than £190 million. The Foundation will receive a minimum of £15m a year in 2008, 2009 and 2010 from Northern Rock, as part of the arrangement under which the bank was taken into temporary public ownership. Maintaining this arrangement is a condition of any sale of the bank in that period. The Government has asked the bank’s board to identify a viable long-term future for the Foundation.