After more than six years leading The Robertson Trust as CEO, Dr Jim McCormick will be stepping down from the role at the end of March 2027. He will move on to pursue various interests in Scotland and beyond, via consultancy and other approaches.
Through his leadership, the Trust’s strategic plan Change Takes Trust sets the course for an independent social change organisation which strives to reduce and prevent poverty and trauma in Scotland. It sees the Trust commit an average of £30M each year in funding and related expenditure to 2028, through a wide range of open, responsive funds and proactive big change grants – with an increasing share being unrestricted and for at least three years. The recent addition of Social Impact Investment offers finance blending both affordable loans and grants via specialist partners. Our Impact and Insights Framework, two Community Power Funds, focused on advancing racial justice and emerging grassroots leadership, and increased collaboration with other funders and sectors further set the direction for the years ahead.
Jim McCormick said: “It is the honour of my working life to lead The Robertson Trust until next March. Since our 10-year strategy was published during the pandemic, we have made steady progress to becoming an open and trusting funder – independent but not neutral, clear on the contribution we can make, but acutely aware of the hardship and insecurity experienced by the people and places we are here to serve. Next year is the right time to stand down, both for me personally and in terms of the Trust’s strategy cycle. I want to thank our brilliant team of colleagues, our SMT, Managers, all staff and Trustees, for the trust and support they have given me. I have complete confidence that they will enable the Trust to go even further in future. I will work closely with them in the months ahead to ensure a secure transition to a new CEO – and I will remain a firm ally and advocate for the Trust’s mission.”
The Trust’s Chair, Morag McNeill, said: “I am sure that everyone who works with Jim at the Trust, in our network of grant holders and many partners across Scotland will join our Board members in thanking him for his leadership of the Trust over the last six years and wishing him well for the future. Jim has led the Trust with empathy and authenticity and has ensured that we have kept a laser focus on our mission of preventing and reducing poverty and trauma. He has continually challenged the Trust to innovate, to do things differently and to ensure that the voice of our grant holders is heard and that can be seen clearly in our current three-year plan Change Takes Trust. As Chair, I have immensely enjoyed working with Jim and look forward to continuing to do so over the coming months. During November, the Board will share details of the process and timeline to recruit the Trust’s next CEO.”