David Knott named CEO of National Lottery Community Fund

Knott had been leading the National Lottery Community Fund in an interim capacity.

UK.- David Knott has been named CEO of the UK National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) after serving in the role on an interim basis since June following Dawn Austwick‘s departure after seven years.

Knott joined the NLCF in October 2020 having previously served as the UK’s director for civil society and youth where he was responsible for policy on charities, philanthropy, impact investment and young people. He has also worked in the private sector and as a public policy advisor in several countries.

His appointment comes as the Gambling Commission confirms that it has received four bids for the next National Lottery licence. The winning bidder is due to be announced in February.

Knott said: “Over the last five years, we’ve backed more than 72,000 community projects through over £3.4bn of grants. This money is life-changing for people and communities, which is why I am delighted to be leading The National Lottery Community Fund into the next, exciting new chapter.

“As we build back from the pandemic, my commitment is to put communities first. The National Lottery Community Fund will be there to support people and communities to prosper and thrive, and we’ll redouble our efforts to have the greatest possible impact we can across the UK.”

Knott has commissioned the fund’s Putting Communities First report which outlines an agenda for community support for the next 12 months following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Blondel Cluff CBE, chair of The NLCF, said: “I am delighted to welcome David Knott as the new Chief Executive. He will lead our organisation forward and ensure that it is confident, accountable and purposeful.

“National Lottery players raise £36m a week for good causes – we are privileged to be trusted shared custodians of this public money and to be supporting communities as they emerge from a challenging period in which the true value of community was demonstrated so vividly. 

“We will be there to support – putting communities first in all we do. To achieve this, we must be able to demonstrate the difference we are making and to use impact evidence to shape our future direction.”