News
Richard, our Founder, and Rob, our new Chair
Richard and Rob, the best of both worlds
In April this year, we see a change to our Board, as we welcome Rob Trimble as the new Chair, whilst Richard Frazer takes on the role of Founder in recognition of his long-standing connection with GCP.
With Rob at the helm as Chair, and Founder Richard’s continued support, GCP enjoys the best of both worlds, as our trail-blazing charity and award-winning social enterprises look to the future!
Richard has been at the heart of the GCP community for 22 years, as the charity developed. As Minister of Greyfriars Kirk, he began with a few ideas about social enterprise, transforming redundant church pews, growing herbs in the Kirkyard after a gap of 450 years and developing a Greyfriars Tartan; all involving looking for the strength within people rather than dwelling on problems.
Under his stewardship as Chair, the charity in the heart of the capital, has grown and flourished. It is a community of over 600 people and a lifeline to many, operating social enterprises and reinvesting in supporting its members with vital grassroots services that help transform their lives.
In his new role as Founder, Richard will continue to lend his support to the charity in a variety of ways including being an ambassador for the work, leading remembrance gatherings for our community and hosting an annual Founder’s Lecture.
Humbled and honoured
Reflecting on his time as Chair and his future role, Richard said,
‘The development of GCP has been a humbling experience for me. Helping to steer the Project through these last 22 years has been the greatest honour of my professional life. It has also touched positively upon my personal life as well, as my wife Kate has helped to shape the sense of a caring and nurturing community that is the hallmark of GCP.
‘I am glad that the Board has invited Rob Trimble to succeed me as chair. In getting to know him over the last couple of years, I realise that he really understands the vision with which we have tried to shape our community.
‘I am grateful that the Board has asked me to continue my connection with the Project. In the role of Founder, I look forward to regular visits and occasional special events as GCP continues its special and unique journey.’
Welcoming Rob Trimble
The role of Chair will now be taken on by Rob Trimble who is currently a Trustee on the GCP Board. Rob brings a wealth of experience from working with charities focused on supporting individuals and communities facing deep-seated and complex issues. His principal role was as Chief Executive of the Bromley by Bow Centre in the heart of East London for 20 years, leading a ground-breaking community charity focused on health and social enterprise.
Last year he stepped down as the Founding Chair of Settle Support, a charity working to prevent homelessness for care-experienced young people. He grew up in central Scotland and now lives in Fife.
Rob is excited to take on this new role:
‘’t’s a privilege to have joined GCP and get to know the extraordinary team and see for myself the incredible and transformative impact our work has on the lives of so many people in Edinburgh. Richard Frazer has been an inspiration and his leadership has been the foundation of all our achievements over the years. I am delighted to become the second Chair of the charity and thrilled that Richard will remain an integral part of the GCP family as our esteemed Founder. We are so aware that the needs in our community are increasing and we’re more determined than ever to grow and develop a dynamic response that enables people to flourish in life.’
GCP’s CEO Helene, welcomes this new chapter:
‘I’ve known Richard since I was a trustee of GCP and now as CEO, and am so grateful for the wonderful support he and Kate have given the CEOs, staff, Board and Members over the years, helping to successfully develop the project into what it is now – a safe and nurturing community space with a number of social enterprises that allows us to support positive change.
‘We’re all so pleased that Richard is still going to be part of the life blood of GCP and I welcome Rob as a worthy successor. Together, I believe the Project will continue to thrive, allowing us to make a lasting impact for our Members and the wider community.’
Reflections from our Founder, Richard Frazer
‘It was all about seeing the person and the potential that lies within each one of us that sometimes lies buried deep due to all the stresses and trauma that life can bring.
‘Initially people thought we were crazy to have such bold ambitions to build a new centre to house all our activities and create such a diverse community organisation.’