New role for Edinburgh Napier Development Manager
Edinburgh Napier’s Kirsty Connell-Skinner has been unanimously elected as the new Chair of the Independent Fundraising Standards & Adjudication Panel for Scotland (the ‘Panel’).
Effective 1st September 2021, Kirsty will take over from Valerie Armstrong-Surgenor who stepped down from the Panel as a member after five years and as Panel Chair, after more than three years.
The Panel initiated the election process in early August and unanimously elected Kirsty to the role of Chair.
Kirsty joined the Panel in 2018, becoming Vice Chair in November 2020. Kirsty brings a wealth of experience in philanthropic fundraising, particularly in higher education and scientific institutes, with a career to date in fundraising roles at University of Strathclyde, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and National Museums Scotland.
She is currently Development Manager at Edinburgh Napier University, where she project manages the £6 million Housing, Construction & Infrastructure Skills Gateway, part of the Edinburgh & South-East Scotland City Region Deal. Kirsty is also an experienced charity Trustee, previously co-leading the campaign to save Gorgie City Farm in 2016 and currently as Treasurer for gender budgeting campaigners Scottish Women’s Budget Group.
Kirsty Connell-Skinner said: “I am delighted to have been chosen to Chair the Panel, and I thank my fellow Panel members for their resounding support.
“The Panel has come a long way since 2016 and I look forward to continuing our work to support Scottish charities in delivering robust fundraising practices, as well as working with fundraising and charity regulation partners across the sector in Scotland and the UK.
“I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to our outgoing chair, Valerie Armstrong-Surgenor for her commitment and leadership of the Panel these past few years."
The Panel are also delighted to announce the appointment of Lesley Boyd to the Independent Fundraising Standards & Adjudication Panel for Scotland.
Lesley is the Director of Pitch Perfect, and has over fifteen years of experience in fundraising primarily in the culture and education sector with a particular focus on major, corporate and legacy giving.