Church Urban Fund CEO to step down

CUF announces that its CEO, Rachel Whittington, will be stepping down later this year. Rachel joined the Church Urban Fund as CEO in June 2020 to lead a major organisational turnaround. Thanks to the shared vision, energy and commitment of so many dedicated staff - CUF is in a vastly different place.

Rachel remains deeply committed to CUF but, as the organisation is now on a different
trajectory, Rachel feels the time is right for her to prioritise the things that she previously put on hold for a couple of years. This includes growing the work of her husband’s charity, the School of Contemplative Life, and supporting refugees.

CUF now has an excellent team with all posts now filled and strong relationships with its partners, including key figures in the Church of England. CUF’s strategy designed to empower people in communities to serve, lead and speak, has been gaining good traction over the past year.

Andrew Barnett, chair of Trustees, pays tribute to Rachel:

“It is quite extraordinary what Rachel has managed to achieve over the past few years. Her knowledge of CUF and dedication to its aims have been exemplary. Rachel will leave CUF in a far stronger position than before and we all owe her a debt of gratitude for the way in which she has led the team in rolling out CUF’s vision. I will be very sorry to see Rachel go but I am grateful for all that she has accomplished.”

Over the last two years, CUF has intentionally cultivated a dispersed leadership team and recruited the Rev’d Adam Edwards as Deputy CEO. Therefore, whilst the board is yet to determine next steps for Rachel’s replacement, it feels confident that the talented leaders now in place across CUF means that the organisation will be in very good hands during this period of transition.