Welcoming Our New Trustees: John Forde and Matthew Inniss
We are delighted to announce the appointment of two new Trustees to the Heart of England Community Foundation: John Forde and Matthew Inniss. Both bring a wealth of experience, insight and a deep commitment to community-led change that will further strengthen our work across the region.
John Forde
John Forde is an experienced public health specialist who has worked in a wide range of senior leadership roles across the NHS, local government and international settings. Over the course of his career, John has led major public health programmes focused on maternal and child health, integrated disease surveillance, and strengthening health systems, including work supporting global health security in low- and middle-income countries such as Pakistan and Ethiopia.
John’s experience of working closely with communities overseas has shaped a lifelong commitment to community-led approaches to improving health and reducing inequalities. He is a Fellow of the UK Faculty of Public Health and has been registered as a public health specialist with the UK Public Health Register since 2006. Alongside his professional practice, John is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Global Health and Public Health at both Aberdeen and Warwick Universities.
John brings to the Board deep expertise in public health, systems leadership and community empowerment, which will be invaluable in supporting our mission.
Matthew Inniss
Matthew Inniss is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fitnniss – Wellbeing in Care, a Birmingham-based social enterprise delivering physical activity, sensory and wellbeing programmes across care homes and community settings. Since its founding in 2012, Fitnniss has delivered more than 30,000 wellbeing sessions, supporting people of all ages and abilities to live healthier, more connected lives.
With over 14 years’ experience building and leading purpose-driven organisations across health, care and community wellbeing, Matthew brings strong expertise in organisational leadership, governance and social impact. In addition to his executive role, he holds a number of non-executive governance positions, including Chair of SWEDA Services, and serves on boards supporting community development, economic inclusion and social impact.
Matthew is particularly passionate about strengthening sustainable systems, developing people and organisations, and ensuring that funding and support reach communities where they can make the greatest difference.
We are thrilled to welcome John and Matthew to our Board of Trustees and look forward to working with them as we continue to support communities across the Midlands and Warwickshire thrive.