The new lottery body, due to be up and running in 2005, will be formed by the merger of two current distributors the Community Fund and the New Opportunities Fund (NOF).
Launching the search for a new chair and members, Tessa Jowell paid tribute to the work of the current chairs and boards of the merging distributors:
"Diana Brittan at the Community Fund and Jill Pitkeathley at NOF, and the two Boards they have led so effectively over the last five years, have pioneered new ways of tackling disadvantage. They have spent the Lottery money in their charge well, the benefits of which have been felt in every community up and down the land.
"They have now decided to stand aside so that a single new Chair can be appointed to lead both Funds while they prepare for merger. I have asked existing Board members if they would like to be considered for reappointment under the new arrangements and I hope that many of them will put themselves forward.
However, I will also be looking for some new Board members to bring additional experience and skills to help prepare for the new arrangements.
The new distributor will build on the huge amount that Diana and Jill have achieved over the last five years and take on the new challenges that undoubtedly lie ahead."
Notes to Editors
- The vacancies will be advertised in the press from 12 October [Sunday Times, Times, Guardian, Asian Nation and The Voice] and will appear on the DCMS website, the Cabinet Office website and the Just Do Something website. The closing date for applications will be 7 November.
- Tessa Jowell announced proposed changes to the way lottery money is spent in a decision document entitled 'National Lottery Funding'. It is available on the DCMS website at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/global/publications/archive_2003/nat_lott_funding.htm
