Blondel Cluff, held the role of a chair of the National Lottery Community Fund for two years until her early resignation dating back to last summer. As a result, Paul Sweeney was appointed to the role of interim chair on August 1, 2023, for a 1-year contract or until a permanent chair is appointed, whichever is sooner.

Now, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) initiated the search for a new National Lottery Community Fund chair earlier this week. Details regarding the job position were released publicly by the DCMS. January 10 marked the opening date for applications with the deadline for submission of applications set for February 7, 2024, at 11:59 PM. The first interviews are expected to start on April 17, 2024, but the DCMS confirmed that the aforementioned timelines may be subject to change.

The search for a permanent chair of the National Lottery Community Fund comes after recently it launched its new strategy, “It starts with community,” setting a number of objectives through 2030. Under the new strategy, the Fund anticipates distributing some £4 billion ($5.1 billion) of funding by 2030. This funding will provide vital support for different community projects. Throughout 2023, the Fund made nearly 14,000 grants, representing one grand for every 7 minutes.

The Vacant Role Represents an Incredible Opportunity

The new chair of the Fund is expected to have a deep understanding of the charity and community sectors. According to the criteria for the role, the successful candidate must have “a track record of strategic leadership in civil society, public service, or business,” along with pristine interpersonal and communication skills. Additionally, the preferred candidate for the chair role should demonstrate commitment to the Fund’s mission, among other relevant requirements.

“This is an incredible opportunity to Chair a high-profile UK public body that places social connections and community activities at the heart of creating healthier, happier lives and a flourishing society,“

reads the description of the role released by the DCMS

The remuneration listed for the Fund’s chair position is £40,000 annually in exchange for two working days per week. The term of the contract is listed as four years which is not uncommon considering that the former chair was appointed in February 2021 for a contract that was expected to run through February 2025.

Earlier this week, Brigid Simmonds, the chair of the Betting and Gaming Council, confirmed her plans to exit the organization. Simmonds confirmed she will step down effective from April 20, 2024. The vacant role will be filled by Michael Dugher, who will step in as the new chair of the BGC, effective from April 21, 2023.

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The UK’s DCMS announced that the Secretary of State Lucy Frazer has appointed Paul Sweeney as the interim chairman of The National Lottery Community Fund. The announcement described Sweeney as a seasoned individual with years of experience in the voluntary, community and public sectors in Northern Ireland.

The announcement added that Sweeney will serve in the role for 12 months starting August 1, 2023, or until a permanent substitute has been appointed. In his position, he will be remunerated at £40,000 a year (around $51,000).

The interim appointment, the announcement added, was made as an exceptional appointment without completion. The DCMS also added that Sweeney has not been involved in any political activity in the last five years.

Sweeney Has a Wealth of Experience in the Non-Profit Sector

Between 1987 and 1994, Sweeney served as the director of the Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust, a local community-oriented charity supporting self-help initiatives.

In 1994, the appointee joined the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS). At first, he served as an adviser on community development and reconciliation. Eventually, Sweeney was promoted to a number of senior positions, including deputy secretary in the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister, permanent secretary in the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure and permanent secretary in the Department of Education

In 2017, Sweeney departed from the NICS to pursue other opportunities. Since then, he has had short stints with several charity organizations, primarily focused on regeneration, culture and young people.

On June 1, 2021, Sweeney was named chair of The National Lottery Community Fund’s Northern Ireland Funding Committee.

Allwyn to Take Over the National Lottery in 2024

Sweeney’s appointment comes ahead of Allwyn’s takeover of the United Kingdom’s National Lottery. Last year, the UKGC appointed Allwyn as the next National Lottery operator – a fact that the incumbent operator, Camelot, was initially unamused with.

As a result, Camelot tried to block the licensing process, claiming that the UKGC had favored its competitor. The conflict lasted several months but in the end, Camelot conceded, allowing the commission to crown Allwyn as the next National Lottery operator. Allwyn is set to take over the National Lottery in February 2024.

Shortly after the conflict ended, Allwyn expressed its intention to acquire Camelot, which it did a few months later.

In May, the UK National Lottery recorded stable growth, attesting to its popularity. In the meantime, Allwyn picked Leo Burnett and VCCP as joint creative advertising agencies.

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