Paul Buchanan, our Chief Executive Officer, has been awarded an MBE for services to charity in the 2025 New Year’s honours list. Paul was recognised for over 25 years of work supporting charities in London and around the UK. His commitment to connecting local, community organisations with resources, support and partnerships is an ideal quality to serve the mission of The London Community Foundation.
Before joining our team in April 2024, Paul was Interim CEO at In Kind Direct, who helped 6000+ front line charities, and over 300k people a week, access essential items based on their needs. Paul also worked for Business in the Community (BITC) for over 23 years, developing and delivering initiatives that helped businesses improve their impact in communities. He has been a trustee of the John Lewis Partnership Foundation for 9 years, stepping down after serving three terms at the end of 2024. He has been involved in the Boxing Academy since 2011 as Chair of Governors, as Trustee and currently a Member of the Single Academy Trust. The Boxing Academy has been on a remarkable journey from a small charity to now being an Outstanding rated Free School, supporting some of the most vulnerable Children in North and East London to turn their lives around. Until recently he was also a trustee of the National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).
I am delighted to receive this honour in recognition of my services to charity, both in my day job, and as a volunteer. The messages of support have been incredible and hugely appreciated. However, not one day have I thought about recognition, because that is not why we give our time to this brilliant and inspirational sector. I think we just want to use whatever skills or assets we have to make people’s lives better. That has always been my approach. And right now, I am utterly focused on helping The London Community Foundation rise to the ever-increasing challenges that Londoners face.Paul Buchanan, CEO, The London Community Foundation
Everyone at The London Community Foundation would like to congratulate Paul on this prestigious honour. We are proud to work with him, serving London’s most diverse and marginalised communities. The team are excited to see what 2025 has in store for Paul and for the whole of The London Community Foundation network.
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