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Nottingham Forest Community Trust is delighted to announce the appointment of Karl Edwards as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Karl joins the Trust with over 16 years of senior leadership experience across the education, community, and social-purpose sectors. He brings an outstanding track record in strategy, governance, and operational delivery, having most recently served as Executive Director at ImpactEd and Managing Director of ImpactEd Evaluation. In these roles, Karl was instrumental in scaling organisational growth, strengthening financial controls, and helping charities and public services better evidence their social impact.

Prior to his work at ImpactEd, Karl held several national leadership positions at Teach First, including Director of Strategy and Impact, where he managed multi-million-pound budgets and shaped long-term strategies to expand the organisation’s reach and effectiveness.

Karl’s appointment marks a return to a city he knows well. Having studied at both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, and previously led Teach First’s operations across the East Midlands, Karl has spent much of his career living and working within the local community.

This first-hand experience has developed a deep understanding of Nottinghamshire’s unique strengths and challenges, fuelling his belief in “place-based” change. He is passionate about the power of local institutions to bridge gaps, widen opportunities, and support those most in need – values that sit at the heart of the Trust’s mission.

Calum Osborne, Chief Executive Officer of Nottingham Forest Community Trust, said: “We are delighted to welcome Karl to the team at such a pivotal time for the Trust. His extensive experience in driving organisational growth and his deep-rooted passion for the Nottingham community make him the ideal person to help lead our operations. 

Karl’s expertise in impact measurement and strategic delivery will be invaluable as we continue to expand our work in education, health, and wellbeing across the county.”

In his role as COO, Karl will be responsible for the Trust’s operational infrastructure, ensuring that the organisation possesses the robust systems, culture, and financial foundations necessary to sustain its rapid growth.