Grimsby Town Foundation are delighted to announce that Ann-Marie Matson, the director of children’s services on the North East Lincolnshire Council, has taken on a director role as a trustee on the board of the Foundation.
The Foundation is a charity, and its Board is independent of the club’s Board. As a Foundation Trustee, Ann-Marie will help take responsibility for setting the Foundation’s strategy and ensuring good governance. This includes making sure the charity is sticking to its objectives, being well-run financially, has the right policies in place and so on.
On top of this, her role will include promoting the charity and supporting its work. All of this work is voluntary; the Foundation’s trustees commit large amounts of time because of their passion for the local community and the club and with her experience and knowledge, Ann Marie will be a fantastic addition to the Board.
All charities are overseen by an independent Board of Trustees. They are responsible to the Charity Commission for setting the strategy and ensuring good governance. The role is a combination of making sure the team are accountable and performing but also supporting the team and promoting the charity. Usually, they have areas of expertise and networks, which they use to help the charity. They also have to do the ‘boring but essential’ stuff like looking at the accounts and analysing risk. Trustees are unpaid volunteers.
Ann-Marie’s background
“I have worked with, and on behalf of children and families over the last 30 years in both the education sector and across Local Authority Children’s Services in various roles. I have worked in a neighbouring Local Authority for the past 20 years and moved to take up the position of Director of Children’s Services in my home town (North East Lincolnshire) in December 2023.
“I am a strong advocate for children, young people and their families and throughout my career have committed to ensure that children are free from harm, experience equality of opportunity and have the help they need to achieve the best possible outcomes.
“I seek to listen, learn, and improve and value the feedback I receive from children and families as well as through independent scrutiny and constant evaluation of services. I place significant value on partnership working with key stakeholders in order to achieve our ambition for the children, families and communities of North East Lincolnshire.
“I am delighted to have successfully been offered a Director role on the foundation board and look forward to working with all involved to the benefit of the people and place of North East Lincolnshire.”
Welcome on board, Ann-Marie!
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