National Lottery Community Fund names Knott as new chief executive

Knott was named interim chief executive in June this year and will now move into the role on a full-time basis, having first joined the organisation in October 2020.

Prior to this, he was director for Civil Society and Youth in the government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, responsible for policy on charities, volunteering, young people, philanthropy, dormant assets, impact investment and mission-led business.

Knott has also worked internationally, advising on governance and public policy in countries around the world, as well as in the private sector.

“Over the last five years we’ve backed more than 72,000 community projects through over £3.4bn (€4.03bn/$4.69bn) of grants,” Knott said. “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.”

National Lottery Community Fund chair Blondel Cluff Cadded: “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.”

In related news, the National Lottery Community Fund this week also published ‘Putting Communities First – Our Commitments to Communities’, setting out what grant holders and other partners can expect over the coming year.

This will include an ongoing commitment to people and communities, fairness and inclusion, making a difference, its role as a national funder focused on social issues, and its role in shaping the future.