Seb Elsworth to step down as CEO of Access

Seb Elsworth will leave his role as CEO of Access after 11 years to join the Queen Elizabeth Trust. Seb was Access’s first CEO when the organisation was created in 2015.

Neil Berry, Access’s Director of Programmes, will become interim CEO from 1 September. Details about the process to recruit a new permanent CEO will be announced by the Trustees in due course.

Seb has led the organisation for more than a decade, overseeing Access’s establishment and growth, tripling the foundation’s resources and reaching more than 3,800 charities and social enterprises since its creation in 2015. 

Under Seb’s leadership, Access’s positive impact on social investment has been widely recognised. He has championed the use of blended finance to reach underserved communities and organisations and helped establish enterprise grantmaking as a core tool for all foundations to utilise. 

Seb Elsworth said:

“Leading Access for the last 11 years has been a great privilege, and all our success is shared by the partners we have worked with, who are working hard day in, day out in communities to make finance work for the organisations who need it the most. 

“I am grateful to the hugely talented, thoughtful and diligent colleagues I've worked with; as well as the commitment and vision from our trustees, past and present. I know the organisation will continue to deliver, with a strong team and strategy in place.”

Nick Hurd, Chair of Access, said:

“The whole board joins me in thanking Seb for his dedication, leadership and vision for Access over the past decade. Through his collaborative approach and unwavering commitment, he has helped bring social investment closer to the sector and the communities it exists to serve. He leaves Access and the partnerships we have built together in a strong position for the future." 

"With Access’s established Director of Programmes, Neil Berry, stepping up into the interim role, we remain focused on working closely with our partners to ensure Dormant Asset funding reaches the communities that need it most and to continue delivering against the Community Enterprise Growth Plan.”