Doncaster-born CEO of Key Fund Matt Smith gets CBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours

The head of an organisation that supports community and social enterprises has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Matt Smith.Matt Smith.
Matt Smith.

Matt Smith, the Doncaster-born CEO of Key Fund, has been recognised for his services to social investment.

The Commander of the Order of the British Empire is awarded for having a distinguished, innovative contribution in a prominent role at national level, or a leading role at regional level.

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Key Fund, whose mission is to provide flexible finance to support community and social enterprises traditionally excluded by mainstream finance, is recognised as a pioneer in the social investment sector.

It was formed in 1999 in response to the collapse of the coal and steel industries in South Yorkshire, and now operates across the North and the Midlands.

Mr Smith, 42, joined the Key Fund in 2002 when he was just 24, initially as a grants and loans officer, rising to the position of CEO in 2015.

He said: “It’s humbling to be personally acknowledged with a CBE for my work. It’s also a fantastic recognition of the role Key Fund has played over 20 years, helping to support organisations working in some of the most disadvantaged areas in the UK.

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"However, the real honours should go to the passionate social entrepreneurs and community activists that we have supported, who do the most amazing things every day.

"I should also acknowledge the remarkable team and directors that I have the pleasure to work with, who make Key Fund what it is - they aren’t just doing a job, they really put their heart into this work because they see how it can change lives.

"Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of our many funders and partners, to whom I am very grateful.”

Over the last 20 years, Key Fund has supported over 2,500 social and community enterprises, enabling 1,315 new jobs, safeguarding 2,094 jobs and creating 519 new businesses, all working to tackle deep-rooted challenges, from homelessness and unemployment to mental ill-health and the environmental crisis.