Michele Lester

Michele manages a team of 5 regionally based Managers covering the North West, North East, Yorkshire & Humberside, West Midlands and Wales. She has been with the Foundation for the 12 years, initially as a grant manager, followed by a secondment as business development manager leading on the Enhance Programme, before becoming the Head of Grants North in March 2018, within that role she continues to take the operational lead on the Enhance Programme.

Michele has over 23 years’ experience in grant making. Before joining the Foundation, she held a range of grant making and contract management roles in the third sector and public sector, most significantly eight years with BIG Lottery Fund, as a Grants Officer and subsequently Programme Manager.

Michele joined the Foundation in May 2008, and was attracted to the role because of the strong relationship based ethos, giving her the opportunity to meet with and fully understand the work and the challenges facing a diverse range of charities which are passionate about making a significant difference to the people they support.

Michele has two grown-up children and four grandchildren.