We are pleased to announce the appointment of Viviane Vayssieres, FCIM, as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees. Viviane has served as a board member for the past 3 years and has been a Marketing Consultant at Paule Rochelle since 2009.

We are also delighted to welcome Karen Perkins as our new CEO. Karen moves to the Foundation after 16 years with the Culture Trust, Luton and is a passionate advocate for partnership working and collaboration.  

Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation (BLCF) is the 4^th largest grantmaking Community Foundation in the UK. An independent, non-profit organisation established in 2001, our aim is to improve the quality of life for residents through encouraging local giving.

During Covid-19 we administer a far-reaching funding programme on behalf of the National Emergencies Trust, supporting local charities and organisations with grants of between £1,000 and £10,000.

Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation are pleased to announce the appointment of Viviane Vayssieres FCIM as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees and Karen Perkins as CEO.

Viviane has served as a board member for the past 3 years and is a Marketing Consultant at Paule Rochelle since 2009. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a liveryman in the City of London, on her recent appointment she said:

                “It is a great honour and privilege to be chosen by the Board members to be the next Chair of this great Foundation. 2021 sees BLCF prepare to embark on a new strategic period of fund development and we also plan to continuously review our composition of Trustees to ensure that we have the relevant diversity of skills and experiences to meet the needs of the Bedfordshire and Luton population. I am delighted to be working with Karen Perkins again, our new, dynamic, and hugely talented Chief Executive Officer, Dr Joan Bailey MBE (vice chair) and the Trustees. I intend to make my personal contribution to this vital organisation, Community Foundations are the backbone of civil society.”

Karen moves to the Foundation after 16 years with the Culture Trust, Luton. Over the last 10 years she has developed, led, and delivered over £11m of capital projects and funded programmes including the redevelopment of Wardown House Museum and Gallery in Luton. Karen is a passionate advocate for partnership working and collaboration and understands the impact it can have on the lives, aspirations, and opportunities of those marginalised and under-represented in our local communities. Speaking of her new role she commented:

 “I am delighted to join the Foundation at such an important time when the Pandemic is impacting so greatly on our communities and the lives of so many. I very much look forward to working with the new Chair, Viviane Vayssieres, and the Board of Trustees along with the passionate staff team and dedicated volunteers, to continue to grow the excellent work delivered by the Grant Funding panel thanks to the support of our stakeholders and donors.”

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Editor Notes:

For more information or to request an interview with a spokesperson, please contact

Viviane Vayssieres – Chair of Trustees – [email protected] – 07929 355 541 – twitter: @VivVayssieres

Karen Perkins – CEO – [email protected] – 07516 264 936 – twitter: @KarenPerkins17

Getting involved with the Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation
BLCF is a grant maker supporting local community groups and charities https://www.blcf.org.uk/ It focuses on providing accessible funding based on a deep understanding of community needs. The organisation’s aim is to be a catalyst for social change for the community of Bedfordshire and Luton through collecting funds from local businesses and individuals to give to the local charities who need it the most.