Caroline Mason awarded a damehood

We are delighted to report that our Chief Executive, Caroline Mason, has been recognised with a damehood (DBE) for services to the Charity Sector, particularly during the COVID-19 response, in the 2020 New Year’s Honours list. 

Many congratulations to Caroline, who first brought her strong track record of leading innovation in financial services to the social sector - developing the social investment market at Charity Bank, Investing for Good, and Big Society Capital.

For the past seven years Caroline has been Chief Executive at Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, leading us into a new strategy in 2020 which faces up to the implications of climate change, along with a global pandemic and growing inequality.

Reacting to the honour, Caroline said "I am delighted to accept this honour on behalf of all the excellent people that I work with everyday at Esmée and of all the amazing charities and social enterprises that, against the odds, provide so much inspiration and hope."

Latest

You might be interested in

  • Gender justice mid-strategy review AW-LD.pdf

    Gender justice: mid-strategy review

    A new report examines Esmée’s portfolio of gender justice grants and the progress made since the launch of the strategy. It explores the changing context for gender justice and its impact, and shares recommendations for Esmée and other gender justice funders.

    Read more
  • Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage-young women looking at archival collection

    Our work towards Racial Justice: actions in 2025

    Following a review of our approach to racial justice by Chrisann Jarrett published last year, we wanted to provide an update on the five actions we committed to, and to share our next steps.

    Read more
  • NOMAD

    Migrant Justice Portfolio Review 2026: Invitation to tender

    We are looking to work with an external consultant from April to May 2026 to carry out a short review of our Migrant Justice work to inform our future strategy.

    Read more