A legacy of bold action: Danielle Walker Palmour to retire as Director
Date: 05/08/2026
Next year, after more than 20 years as Director of Friends Provident Foundation, Danielle Walker Palmour will step down from her role. With a reputation for innovative thinking and bold action, Danielle has led the Foundation since its start in 2004.
“Danielle is that rare leader who is both a builder and a visionary. As our founding Director, she didn’t just grow Friends Provident Foundation, she helped create an entire new economy movement, consistently pushing the sector toward greater transparency and bolder thinking about philanthropy’s role in a just society.”
Caroline Taylor, Chair of the Board of Trustees
“She has been the strongest champion for how foundations can use all their assets to further their mission, and she’s done it all with a warmth and generosity that has meant so much to those of us who’ve worked alongside her,” continued Caroline. “Her legacy will outlast any one organisation, and we are deeply grateful for her drive, her heart, and all that we have achieved together.”
Under Danielle’s leadership, the Foundation has grown from one member of staff to a team of ten, leading work to place people and planet at the heart of a new economy. The Foundation has experimented with new ways of working and shared its learning along the way. Danielle has pushed the sector to think intentionally about the impact of investments, develop accountable and transparent grant making procedures, and consider how organisations can work together for greater impact.
Since supporting the UK’s first social impact bond, the Foundation has invested £3.6million in a range of social investments such as community energy and ethical venture funds. Over £30 million has been awarded in grants across the UK, from supporting grass-roots organisations to core funding to establish key infrastructure in the new economy sector.
Danielle has also pioneered a range of initiatives to push the sector’s thinking. These include the Endowments Investing Challenge, the Foundation Practice Rating, and the ACF Network on Economic Justice.
“Over the last 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of working towards a bold ambition of a world where money and finance serve a fair and sustainable society. I’ve worked with generous and committed trustees, a small but exceptional staff team, and fellow travellers with whom we’ve collaborated. Alongside funding and investing in others, we’ve also created new ways of working that have shaped the wider sector. I look back with pride in what we’ve built together. It’s been an honour to play a part in the Foundation’s story”
Danielle Walker Palmour, Director
The Board of Trustees, led by Caroline Taylor, looks forward to appointing and working with a new CEO to build on this remarkable legacy.
Starfish Search has been appointed to lead the recruitment process, which will launch in early Autumn.
Blog
A new chapter: reflecting on 20 years as Director
After more than 20 years at Friends Provident Foundation, Danielle Walker Palmour will retire as Director in 2027. In this blog post, Danielle reflects on 20 years of people, partnerships, and the collective ambition for a fair economy.