Social Investment Fund Board Leadership Change

States of Guernsey News

Published April 1st, 2026

Detected April 1st, 2026

Summary

The States of Guernsey announced that Steve Sharman has replaced the Very Reverend Tim Barker as Chair of the Social Investment Fund (SIF) board, effective 1 April 2026. Tim Barker served as a director since SIF was established in April 2020 and as Chair since April 2023, completing his maximum two three-year terms. Since its launch, SIF has distributed over £8 million to charitable organisations across the Bailiwick.

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What changed

Steve Sharman, who was recruited as a director in 2024, has been appointed Chair by the SIF board following the departure of Tim Barker, who completed his term limits as a director. SIF was established as a charitable company in April 2020 with the purpose of using public and privately donated funds to invest in the charity sector and improve joint working with government.

This leadership change is administrative in nature and does not impose new regulatory obligations on affected charities or the public. Charitable organisations seeking funding should continue to engage with SIF's small and major grants programmes as normal. No compliance deadlines, filing requirements, or penalties are associated with this announcement.

Source document (simplified)

Wednesday 01 April 2026

Having reached the end of his term, the Very Reverend Tim Barker is stepping down as the Chair of the Social Investment Fund (SIF) board today, with current board member Steve Sharman taking up the role of Chair.

Tim Barker has been a director since SIF was established as a charitable company in April 2020 and took up the position of Chair in April 2023. SIF directors can serve a maximum of two terms of three years.

SIF was set up with the purpose of using both public and privately donated funds to invest in the charity sector, and to improve joint working with government.

Since SIF was launched, a total of over £8 million has been distributed to a wide variety of charitable organisations, providing vital support to the whole Bailiwick community. This has been primarily through SIF's small and major grants programmes, but also through an appeal launched in 2020 to support charities which were badly affected by the pandemic and which provided support to the community. Over £550,000 was awarded to charities through the appeal.

Steve Sharman, who was recruited as a director in 2024, has been appointed as Chair by the SIF board.

Tim Barker, said:

"It has been a huge privilege to serve as a director of the Social Investment Fund for six years, and as Chair for the past three years. I have enjoyed working with a great team of colleagues and learning about both the diversity of the charitable sector in the Bailiwick and how Guernsey's voluntary organisations enhance so many different areas of our life. The islands would be much poorer without the enthusiasm of the committed staff and volunteers. The work of SIF is to assist in resourcing their work, which requires board members to make some difficult decisions in each funding round."

Steve Sharman, said:

"It is with great pride and a real sense of excitement that I become Chair of the Social Investment Fund. I am acutely aware of the importance of the charitable sector to the Guernsey community and want to ensure SIF continues to support organisations who contribute to making people's lives measurably better."