Wednesday, 9 September 2020
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation has today announced the appointment of non-executive Director, Jennifer Leslie, as Chair of the Board. This appointment follows Phil Neat’s retirement following 17 years’ service; he was a Founding Director and served the last four at Chair.
Jennifer has served on the Charitable Foundation Board since 2016 and has extensive experience in financial services and not-for-profit governance.
Commenting on her appointment, the first female Chair of the organisation, Jennifer said she was thrilled to lead the next chapter of the Charitable Foundation and looks forward to continuing to work closely with grant recipients to fund life-changing projects and initiatives.
“It’s an honour to be elected as Chair of the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, an organisation I am extremely passionate about,” Jennifer said.
“I would like to acknowledge the outstanding service and dedication of Phil Neat. He has been part of every single grant provided by the Charitable Foundation since day one and he has contributed to the immense impact the organisation has had within our local communities.
“Our local communities and charity partners are currently experiencing extraordinary times and challenges. The Charitable Foundation is well-positioned to move quickly and provide much needed support to offer meaningful assistance to those most in need. I’m really looking forward to continuing to work alongside our charity partners to help rewrite the future for those in our local communities who are most vulnerable,” Jennifer concluded.
Today, the Charitable Foundation also welcomed a new non-executive Director, Margie Haseltine, who also serves on the Newcastle Permanent Building Society Board of Directors. She has broad experience in management and governance, and a real passion for community causes, particularly in regional NSW.
Margie said she was delighted to join the Charitable Foundation, “Since joining the Newcastle Permanent Building Society Board in 2018, I’ve come to admire the work of Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.
“It’s a privilege to join the Board alongside its other dedicated and accomplished Directors and I look forward to working alongside grass-roots charities, to help rewrite futures for people in need,” Margie concluded.
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Directors, comprising Newcastle Permanent and Community Directors. Jennifer Leslie (Chair), Mike Rabbitt, Kurt Fearnley, Chad Watson, Jane Gray, Bernadette Inglis and Margie Haseltine.