The National Lottery Community Fund appoints new Executive Director | Charity Today News

THE National Lottery Community Fund has appointed Julie Humphreys OBE as its new Executive Director for Country Portfolios.

Humphreys will take responsibility for leading the Fund’s work across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as the organisation moves into the next phase of its strategy, It Starts With Community.

She joins the UK’s largest community funder from the Scottish Government, where she currently serves as Director for Tackling Child Poverty and Social Justice.

In that role, Humphreys leads a major portfolio covering child poverty, social justice, relationships with civil society and funding. She also serves as Senior Responsible Owner for Scotland’s cross-government Child Poverty Programme.

The National Lottery Community Fund said the appointment would help strengthen collaboration across its four country teams and support its ambition to provide communities throughout the UK with a consistent and positive experience.

Humphreys has held a number of senior leadership positions during her career, including roles within the Scottish Government, Cabinet Office, Department for Education and Scotland Office.

Her experience includes leading large and complex teams, programmes and public investment, as well as working alongside communities, voluntary organisations, local government, Ministers and senior leaders.

The Fund said she also brings extensive experience of turning strategic priorities into effective delivery, developing partnerships and ensuring public investment reflects evidence, lived experience and the needs of communities.

Julie Humphreys, incoming Executive Director for Country Portfolios, said:

“I am thrilled to be joining The National Lottery Community Fund at such an exciting time as we work to realise the ambition to work even more closely with communities across the UK, so everyone feels the benefits of funding raised for good causes thanks to National Lottery players.

“This is a pivotal time when we can make a real difference giving communities and people the opportunity to improve their lives for the better, and I cannot wait to get started.”

The appointment comes as The National Lottery Community Fund continues to deliver its It Starts With Community strategy, with a focus on ensuring communities across the UK can benefit from National Lottery funding.

David Knott, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Community Fund, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Julie to The National Lottery Community Fund. This is an exceptional appointment following a highly competitive process.

“Julie brings a wealth of experience from across the Scottish and UK Governments, alongside a deep commitment to communities and civil society. She combines strategic leadership with a proven ability to turn ambition into action and deliver meaningful outcomes for people and communities.

“She joins us at an important moment. As we move into the next phase of It Starts With Community, Julie will play a vital role in strengthening how we work together across the UK.

“Her leadership will help ensure that, wherever people live and whatever community they are part of, they experience the same commitment and support from The National Lottery Community Fund.

“By building on the strengths of our teams across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Julie will help us deliver even more for communities and support people to thrive.”

Humphreys was appointed following an open and competitive recruitment process.

She will formally take up the role on 19 October 2026.