Claire Whitaker CBE is now in charge of the Queen Elizabeth Trust which been launched as part of plans announced by The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee to mark the centenary of the late Queen’s birth.
Alongside a permanent memorial in St James’s Park, the initiative will support the regeneration of community spaces across the UK.
Speaking on her new appointment, Claire said: “Its an incredible honour and it’s such an important trust – I want to be able to preserve the legacy of our late and beloved Queen.
“I had the good fortune to work with her majesty in various capacities over the last 30-years and during my time as Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society.
“For me, it is such a privilege to be working as interim chair as I will very much become part of the Queen’s legacy which is just fantastic.
“I’m really looking forward to working hand in hand with different communities across the UK and help to restore places that bring communities together.”
The Trust will provide funding and targeted support for local assets such as community centres and green spaces, backed by a £40 million government endowment aimed at ensuring long-term impact.
Claire added: “I do want to take some time to say a massive and heartfelt thank you to the city of Southampton – My work in this city has been a really highlight in the last few years.
“I will still be working in and around Southampton and Hampshire in the future.”
She previously played a leading role in the city’s 2023 City of Culture bid and has served on the board of Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the Queen Elizabeth Trust plans would honour a monarch who “devoted her life to public service” during her reign.