London national lottery community fund moves into the National Council for Voluntary Organisations's building

The grantmaker, which provides funds of more than usd 756m a year to disadvantaged communities, has vacated its previous Westminster base on Marsham Street. 

NLCF said the move to the NCVO’s Society Building, near King’s Cross, would help it to build stronger ties with the voluntary sector and reduce its office carbon footprint. It will also make a “substantial saving” on rent costs. 

The grantmaker is keeping its hub at Apex House in Birmingham, which it has had since 2006, as its registered address, predominantly for finance, IT and other corporate services.

The NLCF said its new London base, which opened to staff this month, is where its funding teams, chief executive, senior management team and others could “collaborate, innovate and meet with stakeholders”. 

It said the smaller space was “better suited” to its current ways of working than its previous office, adding that the grantmaker will “continue to prioritise flexible working”. 

When asked how much the move would save, the NLCF said in a statement: “The relocation has delivered a substantial saving on annual lease costs for our organisation.”

The grantmaker said the move is an opportunity to “embed” itself more fully within the voluntary sector and the communities it serves, in line with the values in its new 2023 to 2030 strategy and also added that the move takes it “one step closer” to becoming a net zero organisation by 2030, and would allow teams to “come together and connect while prioritising the ways in which we can continue reducing our footprint further”.

It said: “Our values align with NCVO, which has made significant progress in reducing its environmental impact by continuing to be a zero to landfill site and committing to energy and waste reduction.”

David Knott, chief executive of the NLCF, said: “The move has allowed us to plant our roots alongside an array of inspiring organisations, all of whom are united in a common purpose – to achieve a fairer, more equitable society for all.”

Sarah Vibert, chief executive of the NCVO, said: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has joined the other amazing organisations working in our voluntary sector hub at Society Building.  

“We work hard to support and foster greater collaboration and partnership across the voluntary sector, so it’s fantastic to hear about the steps The National Lottery Community Fund is taking to get closer and more responsive to communities.

“We’re also very proud of the fact that our commitment to sustainability at Society Building is helping others to achieve their goals.”

By Emily Harle