Bristol’s historic Society of Merchant Venturers has appointed Quartet Community Foundation chief executive Caroline Duckworth as its next treasurer. She will take up the role in November.
The treasurer is the most senior executive position within the Society – equivalent to the role of chief executive in a business.
She replaces Richard Morris, who will retire in November after 12 years in the job. 
Caroline, pictured, has built a strong profile in the region in her role at Quartet, widely viewed as one of the most innovative and respected community foundations in the UK.
She has overseen the distribution of more than 1,000 grants each year to voluntary and community groups across the West of England.
Prior to her role at Quartet, Caroline was UK managing director at Common Purpose, the independent, international leadership development organisation.
Caroline is the first woman to be appointed treasurer at the Society, which was has played a key role in Bristol’s development since it was established under Royal Charter in 1552.
Today, it invests heavily in young people, education, enterprise and entrepreneurship and caring for the elderly.
Caroline is also a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, a member of the Guild of Guardians and a member of the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire. She is a governor of Wycliffe College and a member of the UK Community Foundation Board.
Master of the Merchant Venturers Chris Curling said: “We have conducted a nationwide search for our new treasurer, who can continue to drive our progress in contributing to the greater Bristol community. “We are delighted Caroline has agreed to join us, bringing her enormous talent for working with regional and national partners in creating vital opportunities for the local community.”
Caroline Duckworth said: “I am delighted to be joining the Merchant Venturers, an organisation which achieves so much that is extraordinary.
“Each year the Merchants support scores of local good causes, contribute to the education of thousands of young people and provide homes and care for hundreds of older people. This contribution is made with modesty and without seeking recognition.
“The Merchant Venturers are an inspiring group of individuals and I very much look forward to joining them.”
Quartet Community Foundation chair Robert Bourns said: “Caroline has provided us with outstanding leadership, reinforcing and growing Quartet’s role as an effective broker of relationships across the West of England.
“She will be a major asset for the Merchant Venturers when she joins in November. In the meantime, we will work with Caroline to recruit and prepare her successor, ensuring we continue our vital work in empowering communities now and for the future.”
Chris Curling paid tribute to Richard Morris as treasurer during a period when the Merchants had been particularly active and had driven great change, probably more so than at any time in its 600-year history.
“Over the past 12 years Richard has been central in the delivery of this activity and change, bringing energy, drive and a clarity of approach that have underpinned all that we do,” he said.
During Richard’s tenure the Society has made a step change in its support for local education, with the number of young people attending its schools and academies rising from 1,100 to more than 3,500. Richard was also centrally involved in the creation of Merchants’ Academy in Withywood, South Bristol, which opened in 2008.
