The three new additions are joining the board of trustees which is made up of members from different backgrounds who all oversee the work of the Foundation, one of the biggest independent funders in the county.

Sofie Scott heads up the only specialist Legal Recruitment Consultancy in Dorset, ASH Elite and is also the creator and driving force behind the Dorset Legal Awards. Sofie is passionate about philanthropy and works closely with law firms in raising awareness for their clients about local initiatives and how Dorset Community Foundation can help.

Darren Northeast is the MD of one of the South’s leading Public Relations companies. He is passionate about working extensively in the local community.

Paul spent 26 years working for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, both overseas and in London and was Director of Economic Development at the City of London Corporation until 2015 when he retired. Paul is also a keen supporter of the not for profit sector in Dorset.

Jon Yates, Chief Executive at Dorset Community Foundation explained: ‘We are very pleased to welcome the three new members of our Board of Trustees. Their valuable experience and support will enable us to implement the development strategy for the Foundation which will, in turn, enable us to help even more people in need across the county’.

Before joining the Trustee Board Paul, Sofie and Darren were part of the Foundation’s Ambassadors scheme which also features prominent local residents such as Kate Adie and Lady Fellowes.