New Appointments for LCR Pride Foundation Board

The LCR Pride Foundation has announced two new appointments to its Board of Directors, to support the organisation as it continues to grow.

Arts professional, Anthony Proctor has been named Community Engagement Director, while Morecrofts Partner, David Parr, has joined the board as Finance Director.

The appointments come as foundation Co-Founder, John Bird, steps down from his role on the board to pursue other projects. Anthony and David will now join Chair, Andi Herring, Governance Director, Karen O’Donnell and Partnerships Director, Scott McLellan, as it looks forward to the inaugural LCR Pride Awards on Thursday 26 September 2019.

Anthony will draw on 15 years’ experience in the arts world, connecting audiences and communities, to engage and unite LGBT+ communities across the city region, while David will work with the board to develop a financial strategy for the organisation and ensure its sustainability.

Speaking of the changes to the LCR Pride Foundation board, Andi Herring said: “It has been an exciting and formative eight months for the LCR Pride Foundation and the appointment of Anthony and David to our Board of Directors will only serve to elevate the work we have been doing.

“Both bring a wealth of expertise and ideas that will support the mission our to make the Liverpool City Region the most LGBT+ friendly in the UK and we are excited to be working with them.

“We are of course extremely sad to see John stepping down from his role as Co-Chair. Just over 12 months ago, we set out our vision for the LCR Pride Foundation and John’s passion, commitment and dynamism has been fundamental in making it a reality. As a board, we will work to ensure that we stay true to that original vision.

Andi Herring and John Bird of LCR Pride

“John is a tireless activist and incredible advocate for the LGBT+ community and we wish him the very best of luck with his future ventures and look forward to working alongside him in new capacities.”

John Bird added: “I am incredibly proud to have been part of establishing an organisation with a City region wide remit of supporting the LGBT+ community.

“Having met with well over 300 organisations that support, or wish to support, the LGBT+ community in those first few months, a foundation has well and truly been created that will only continue to grow and develop into something that truly benefits us all.

John proposing to his partner Pride2019

“I am an activist at heart and first got involved with Pride several years ago to support the amplification of messaging around issues close to the community; being able to address a record breaking 12,000 people who attended the March with Pride muster this year, and providing the event’s first dedicated Youth Zone in collaboration with youth groups throughout the Liverpool City Region, was absolutely awe inspiring.

“However, as those involved are all volunteers, juggling day jobs around foundation work, I feel it is the right time for me to step away to focus on other projects that support the LGBT+ community. I am proud to have played my part, and will continue to do so in my own capacity, and I wish the Board of LCR Pride Foundation the best of luck for the future.”

The LCR Pride Foundation is currently recruiting further members for its board, specifically those with a background in Marketing or Fundraising. Expressions of interest in becoming a board member should be emailed, along with a CV and covering note detailing your area of expertise to info@lcrpride.co.uk.