Former High Sheriff, Mandy Thorn MBE DL, has been appointed as a trustee of the Shropshire Community Foundation.

Ms Thorn, also a Deputy Lieutenant of the county, joined the team that is working on making the Foundation a long-term, self-sustaining source of independent funding for community organisations and charities in Shropshire.

Ms Thorn initially joined the Foundation last year as an honorary trustee during her term as High Sheriff but has now accepted a permanent position on the board.

She brings a wealth of business expertise from her years working with large multinational companies and her family care business.

Throughout her career, Ms Thorn has held several key positions including being a founder member of Shropshire Partners in Care, a previous vice chair of the National Care Association, and a former chair of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership Board.

Currently, she is a school governor, a member of the Shrewsbury Drapers Company, an active Rotarian, and a member of her village’s parochial church council.

Ms Thorn said: "I was very impressed by the work of the Shropshire Community Foundation during my year as an honorary trustee.

"I am very much looking forward to helping it build new partnerships to benefit all the community organisations and charities that work so hard to support Shropshire people.

"The Foundation has launched the Shropshire Investors in Community scheme to encourage businesses and individuals to donate into a collective charity fund. I’m very keen to help build this into a valuable source of funding for Shropshire’s community groups and charities."

Selina Graham DL, chair of the trustees, said: "Mandy has done a wonderful job of supporting charities and community groups through her year as High Sheriff.

"Her extensive business expertise will be invaluable to the Foundation in its work in generating funding through partnerships and making sure it goes to those most in need of support."