We’re delighted to announce that Anna Mann, one of our founding trustees and a driving force behind the foundation since its inception, has stepped into the role of Chair of Trustees.
Having helped shaped our mission from the beginning, Anna brings a deep insight and genuine passion to this new chapter of the foundation. We sat down with Anna to talk about what inspired her to help establish the foundation, and what taking on the Chair role means to her.
What inspired you to set up the Halcrow Foundation, and has motivated you to remain a trustee for the last 20 years?
“The origins of the Halcrow Foundation are deeply personal for me. In 2004, as Internal Communications Manager at Halcrow and someone who had run charitable events before, I was well connected across the company. When the Asian tsunami struck on Boxing Day, colleagues from around the world contacted me asking how we were going to help. With our people based in some of the hardest hit regions, we were in a unique position to make a meaningful difference.
“With the CEO’s support, I launched a fundraising campaign and secured matched funding, helping us raise around £150,000. As the total grew, I became determined that every pound should reach the communities who needed it most. After taking advice, it became clear that setting up a formal charity was the best way to ensure the funds were used responsibly – not just for the immediate response, but as a long term commitment to social purpose. Those early projects in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, delivered by colleagues with direct local knowledge, proved the power of this approach and inspired the Foundation’s formal creation in 2005.
“Twenty years on, the Foundation has remained true to our purpose: supporting community infrastructure, improving livelihoods and creating sustainable, transformative change across the UK, Africa and Asia. We have awarded more than £3 million in grants and helped hundreds of thousands of people live safer, healthier and more fulfilling lives. Being part of this journey – and helping it endure and grow – has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.”
What does it mean to you to be Chair of Trustees?
“Becoming Chair is both an honour and a responsibility. Having been involved since the very beginning, I feel a profound sense of stewardship for the Foundation – its mission, values, and the legacy it represents. What began as an emergency response to unbelievable tragedy has grown into something far bigger than any of us imagined, and stepping into the Chair role feels like a continuation of that story.
“One of the most meaningful aspects of this role is the team I share it with. All my fellow trustees worked at Halcrow, and I can still remember approaching them in the early days to ask if they would help get the Foundation off the ground. I chose them for their expertise, integrity and commitment, never imagining we would still be working together twenty years later. That continuity, and the deep sense of shared purpose it brings, is incredibly special.
“Succeeding David Kerr, our founding Chair, carries particular significance. He guided us through immense change – especially in 2011, when Halcrow was sold and the Foundation had to stand independently and protect the Halcrow legacy for the long term. His calm leadership and conviction were instrumental in shaping the resilient organisation we are today.
“This role also holds personal resonance. Over the past 20 years my life has changed enormously – marriage, divorce, raising children who are now young adults, and navigating demanding senior roles at Skanska and now at Wates. There were moments when life felt overwhelming and I wondered if I could continue. Each time, the trustees rallied around me with unwavering support. Their belief in me, and in our shared purpose, helped keep me going.
“To be Chair means honouring where we came from, respecting the people who built this with me, and leading us forward in a way that remains true to our values: care, empowerment, trust, equality and sustainability. Above all, it means safeguarding something that has shaped my life for twenty years – and continues to inspire me every day.”
What are you most looking forward to, as you step into your new role?
“Firstly, I’m looking forward to continuing to work with my fellow trustees. After so long together, it is not only fulfilling but genuinely enjoyable. Our shared history and commitment to Halcrow’s values have created a bond I treasure.
“Above all, I’m excited to continue supporting people around the world who are in great need. We work with extraordinary grassroots organisations that help vulnerable communities rebuild their lives sustainably. These partners are often small, but their impact is profound.
“In the UK, I’m particularly passionate about helping disadvantaged young people build brighter futures, supporting survivors of domestic violence as they rebuild their lives, and helping people experiencing homelessness move towards stability and independence.
“In Africa, the need for basic subsistence is acute for millions. One of the humbling realities of our work there is that comparatively modest sums can transform not just one life, but entire communities. Witnessing that kind of sustainable impact motivates us to keep doing more.
“Asia holds special significance for the Foundation, as it is where much of our early work began. We are fortunate to partner with remarkable individuals like Baghi Baghirathan, Bill Peacock and David Birch – people who have been with us from the very beginning and who know the communities they serve intimately. Their personal commitment has brought about lasting change, and continuing to support them is something I value hugely.
