September 8, 2024

Cumbria CVS is sad to announce that after five years, our current Chief Executive David Allen has decided to retire, and will be leaving us at the end of this calendar year.

David joined us from his role as CEO at the Faculty of Public Health in London just months before the Covid-19 pandemic struck – taking up a non-executive director role at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust at the same time.

David has strengthened our financial position, developed our strategy and business planning and represented Cumbria CVS and the wider sector on numerous boards and working groups. He has developed and supported many partnerships – across the voluntary sector and in collaborative enterprises with statutory organisations – drawing on over 30 years’ experience in the sector.

Aside from the pandemic and cost of living crisis, David’s tenure has coincided with Cumbria’s re-organisation of Local Government and the introduction of Integrated Care Systems within the health service. As a member of Cumbria’s Third Sector Network Executive, David has always striven to champion the role of volunteers and voluntary organisations at every opportunity: to improve understanding of the sector and the enormous contribution it makes in society.

“Whilst I am sad to be leaving Cumbria CVS and the many generous colleagues, members, partners and friends who have supported me, I am looking forward to exploring Cumbria and pursuing other interests in retirement. I start a three-year tenure as an Associate Director at the University of Cumbria in September (as part of our Employer-Supported Volunteering programme) and will be considering other opportunities in due course”, said David.

Sheila Gregory, Chair of Cumbria CVS and a trustee since 2019, said “It has been a pleasure to work with David over the last five years and of course we wish him all the very best for his upcoming retirement – he has earned it! I am pleased that David has agreed to help us in the search for a new CEO and that work begins immediately. Naturally we will keep our members and partners fully informed as we approach the next exciting chapter in our development”.