A message from Richard Frazer, Chair and Founder of the Grassmarket Community Project

A message from Richard Frazer, Chair and Founder of the Grassmarket Community Project

In March, we will be saying farewell to Jonny Kinross, our inspirational and much respected leader of the Grassmarket Community Project for the last 8 years.

During his time as our Chief Executive Officer, Jonny has overseen significant growth and development of our work amongst some of Edinburgh’s most vulnerable people. The range of support, training and mentoring activities we offer has increased, our social enterprises have flourished and look set to bounce back strongly after the impact of the Pandemic.

Jonny has brought many of his own interests, passions and strengths to the Grassmarket Community Project. His energy and commitment to the flourishing and wellbeing of our members has been inspirational. We have seen that in all his work and especially on many of the residential experiences we have undertaken together.

His undoubted commitment to walking alongside those on the edge was affirmed when, in 2018, he was awarded an honorary degree from Edinburgh University. The Grassmarket Community Project has received numerous awards during the last 8 years and our positive reputation has grown under Jonny’s leadership. We thank Jonny, we will miss him and we wish him well in the next stage of his professional journey.

We will be beginning the process of recruiting Jonny’s successor very shortly, and look forward eagerly to the writing of a new chapter in the unfolding story of the Grassmarket Community Project.

In the meantime, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Calum Murray as Interim CEO, who will support our wonderful team until we make a permanent appointment. Calum was until recently head of adult services for Crossreach, the social care arm of the Church of Scotland.

Jonny Kinross out-going Chief Executive shares his reflection:

‘It has been an incredible experience for me and a privilege to lead such a committed and compassionate staff team. I am grateful to our Members, Volunteers, Board and Staff for guiding me and supporting me in my role as CEO. We have enjoyed a significant period of growth over the past 8 years, in spite of the Pandemic. Our services are needed, now more than ever, we are supporting more people in Edinburgh than we have ever done in the history of our charity, and we are now in a fantastic position to build back our Social Enterprises.

I wish my friends at the Grassmarket Community Project all the best in recruiting my successor and thank them for the opportunity they gave me to lead such an amazing community. Members should be reassured that the team is stronger than ever and that the Board and Senior Management Team will find a successor for me who truly understands the importance of the GCP in their lives.’