Our Board and Governance

At the heart of our mission is a strong and dedicated governance structure, ensuring accountability, transparency, and effective leadership. Together, this governance structure upholds the charity’s integrity, ensuring that we operate with the highest standards of leadership and service.

The BITC Executive Board

How Business in the Community is Funded

Our Royal Founding Patron, His Majesty The King

His Majesty The King is our Founding Patron, whose vision and dedication to our cause continue to inspire and elevate our efforts. His longstanding commitment provides invaluable support, reinforcing the charity’s purpose and enhancing our ability to create meaningful change.

As Prince of Wales, and now HM The King, our Royal Founding Patron has championed and supported business involvement in communities to create a fairer, greener world. He has led some 600 engagements for BITC, and his leadership, commitment and personal beliefs have driven the movement of responsible business in the UK. Always, driving the agenda forward, as Prince of Wales, HM’s work covered issues as broad as diversity and inclusive representation within and for communities, to sustainability and climate change. To supporting community entrepreneurs, local purchasing, farming and the countryside, and the secondments of ‘business connectors’ to help bring business support and expertise to problems affecting local people.

Our Vice Presidents

Our Vice Presidents lend their experience and influence to promote our work and extend our reach.

Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO CBE

Sir Stephen O’Brien CBE

Sir Mark Weinberg

Business in the Community Board of Trustee Directors

Business in the Community is governed by a Board of Trustee Directors whose role is to guide the charity’s strategic direction and safeguard our values and commitments.

Peter Harrison

Chair,
Business in the Community

An image of Alison Rose smiling at the camera.

Dame Alison Rose

Vice Chair,
Business in the Community

Zahra Bahrololoumi CBE

Chief Executive Officer,
Salesforce UK & Ireland

Raman wearing a grey blazer and white checked shirt, smiles away from the camera

Raman Bhatia

Group Chief Executive,
Starling Bank

Lucinda Charles-Jones

Non-Executive Director,
Rank Group plc & Virgin Money plc

Vicky Davies

Chief Executive Officer,
Danske Bank UK

Richard Hutton

Chief Financial Officer,
Greggs plc

Jeremy wearing glasses smiles into the camera

Jeremy Pocklington CB

Permanent Secretary, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)

Keith Weed sits at a table with his hands clasped in front of him

Keith Weed CBE

President,
Royal Horticultural Society

Our Executive Leadership Board

Mary Macleod

Chief Executive, Business in the Community

From consultant and banker to policy advisor, politician, campaigner and head-hunter, Mary has been driven by purpose, potential, innovation and impact with a focus on transforming the world around her to create better outcomes for business, government and community. Mary was appointed BITC’s Chief Executive in January 2023.

Gail Greengross looks sideways at the camera

Gail Greengross LVO

Creative and External Affairs Director, Business in the Community

Kieran Harding

Managing Director, Business in the Community Northern Ireland

Sue Husband OBE

Community Impact Director, Business in the Community

Charles O’Neill

Chief Financial Officer, Business in the Community

Harriet Walker

Advisory & member Services Director, Business in the Community

Lesley Wolfenden LVO

Company Secretary, Business in the Community

How we are funded

Business in the Community’s charitable activities are funded by business members, the public sector and charitable foundations with whom we collaborate. These funds comprise membership subscriptions, donations and grants which support businesses in their responsible business activities and beneficiaries in communities across the UK. Business in the Community does not raise money to pay for its activities from members of the public.