Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation’s Board of Directors has appointed Graham Batten as Executive Officer.

Chairman Michael Slater said Graham brings significant experience in organisational management, procurement and community initiatives.

“The Board of Directors is happy to welcome Graham to the role of Executive Officer and wish him the best in the new role,” Michael said.

“Graham brings with him considerable corporate experience complemented by a passion for working with his local community and business partners in NSW’s regional areas.”

“Graham’s appointment follows an extensive recruitment process that attracted strong interest from high calibre candidates across a range of industries and professional disciplines.”

Graham comes to the role from Newcastle Permanent Building Society, which he joined in 2009 as Procurement Manager.

The Executive Officer role provides organisational and strategic support to the Foundation’s Board of Directors, comprising Michael Slater as Chairman, Julie Ainsworth, Samantha Martin-Williams, Phil Neat, Mike Rabbitt and David Shanley.

The Executive Officer role was vacated by Jason Bourke, who left the Charitable Foundation in January 2016 after 11 years’ service to pursue a career in the not-for-profit sector.

Established in 2003, the Foundation has grown to be Australia’s largest regional charitable foundation and delivered more than $14 million in grants to enable in excess of 350 community projects addressing disadvantage in regional NSW communities.

The current application period for grant applications has been extended by four weeks, to 27 May, to allow Graham to establish himself in the new role.