Cambridgeshire ACRE’s Chief Executive, Kirsten Bennett, is to step down after 25 years in post.
Throughout her time as Chief Executive, Kirsten has built and led a strong staff team, and overseen the organisation’s highly respected position as Cambridgeshire’s leading charity supporting rural communities.
Kirsten has been pivotal in developing public and voluntary sector relationships and has developed many initiatives across rural Cambridgeshire that have supported individuals, volunteers, village halls, community groups, charities, and rural businesses to thrive.
She said:
“To have led Cambridgeshire ACRE for so long has been a real privilege especially being able to work as part of so many Cambridgeshire and Peterborough communities giving them a stronger voice and supporting them with so many programmes and projects. After 25 years, and during this special year of the Chairty’s Centenary, if feels like the right time for me to move on to new endeavours and for the Board to find my successor to lead the organisation forward into its next chapter.”
“I am immensely proud at the way in which Cambridgeshire ACRE has worked with other organisations to support rural communities, particularly, recently throughout COVID and the cost-of-living crisis. Volunteer-run Community Hubs are now well-established and Village Agents are providing much needed community-based support for individuals.”
“There have been many highlights during my time as Chief Executive. I believe working to enable rural housing has made a considerable difference to individuals and families with over 440 rural affordable homes built. We have administered three EU LEADER programmes bringing over £4m of investment into rural businesses and community facilities across the Fens. I have worked hard to limit the impacts of diminishing rural services such as post offices, banks, pubs and shops and developed our membership services to build a thriving village hall network.”
“I leave the organisation in a strong position with a committed and expert team of staff and trustees. I am enormously grateful for their support and friendship over all the years we have been working together.”
Remarking on Kirsten’s intention to move on from her role, Chair of Trustees for Cambridgeshire ACRE, Annie Blair, said:
“On behalf of the board of trustees I would like to thank Kirsten wholeheartedly for her professionalism and dedication to the organisation for well over two decades. She has led by example in delivering our diverse rural work whilst upholding Cambridgeshire ACRE’s purpose, by engaging with rural communities to help them shape and build flourishing places to work and live.”
“Kirsten’s consistent and excellent delivery of our project work has ensured that Cambridgeshire ACRE has a reliable and growing reputation in the county and within the context of the national ACRE network. A key to this success has been her ability to ensure the organisation and the staff team pro-actively identifies, and delivers, the appropriate support that communities require, to tackle rural isolation during ever-changing times.”
“Cambridgeshire ACRE works collaboratively with members, village halls, parish & town councils, stakeholders, funders & agencies. Kirsten has worked very closely with so many of these and I know they will want to wish her well. Her experience, knowledge and expertise will be greatly missed by all at Cambridgeshire ACRE and on behalf of the trustees, staff and volunteers, we wish her success in all her future endeavours.”
“The trustees are working with Peridot Partners to carry out the recruitment for Kirsten’s successor. They would welcome applications from colleagues within Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and surrounds who are keen to pick up the baton. It is an exciting time for a new Chief Executive during our Centenary year and they will be working with the trustees, staff and all our supporters to refresh and set our organisational strategy from 2025 and beyond.”
Information regarding the Chief Executive role can be found at:
https://www.peridotpartners.co.uk/jobs/chief-executive-cambridgeshire-acre/
