Trust set up by building firm founder hires first CEO

The Foundation set up by businessman Steve Morgan, who founded housebuilding firm Redrow, has hired its first chief executive since it launched 21 years ago.

Liam Eaglestone joins as CEO from the Church of England’s Manchester Diocese where he was deputy director of education.

He has also been a schools advisor for the Liverpool Diocese and spent 10 years until 2017 as a Baptist minister in Gloucestershire.

“I’ve seen first-hand the impact the Steve Morgan Foundation has on supporting entire communities and it’s a genuine honour to be appointed as CEO,” said Eaglestone.

“The relationship the Foundation has with the charities it works with goes far beyond the grants it provides and has been forged over many years.”

Among recent funding awards by the Foundation has been £50m to help people living with type 1 diabetes, which both Eaglestone and his son, Jack, both have.

“I was diagnosed in my mid 30s but Jack was only six when he was diagnosed and his blood sugar levels were very hard to control,” Eaglestone added.

“I know first-hand the impact the condition has on young people and their families and I’m honoured to be able to play a small part in the ongoing search for a cure.”

Eaglestone will work alongside director of regional grants Jane Harris who had led the organisation.

Morgan said: “Over the last 21 years the Steve Morgan Foundation has become one of the UK’s leading, individual, philanthropic foundations.

“Under the leadership of Jane Harris, we’ve gained a thorough understanding of the challenges facing the people in our region and we will continue to support those individuals via the numerous charities we fund.

“However, we have even greater ambition. We are increasingly initiating and supporting larger scale initiatives, both regionally and nationally.

“Liam has the ideal skillset to realise our ambition, we are all incredibly excited for the future and the Foundation achieving ever greater things.”