15 May 2026
Helen will also take on the role of Chair later in the year when our current Chair, Fiona steps down.
After a thorough recruitment process, Glenkens & District Trust (GDT) is delighted to announce the appointment of Helen Keron as a Trustee. Helen will also take on the role of Chair later in the year. Helen, who is well known within the wider Glenkens, brings a wealth of experience in community development and funding. She has been involved in numerous organisations across Dumfries and Galloway in both a voluntary and employed capacity and understands the challenges and benefits of living and working in a rural community.
Helen will take over as Chair of GDT in November, succeeding Fiona Smith, who will step down after eight successful years in the position. Helen’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for GDT and is an important step in achieving a seamless handover for the organisation.
Speaking about the appointment, Steve Connelly, Deputy Chair, who led the process on behalf of GDT, said:
“The GDT Trustees are delighted to appoint Helen as a Trustee and to be the Chair when Fiona steps down later this year. The recruitment process enabled us to understand in detail what skills and experience she will bring to the role and to consider her thoughts about the future for GDT. We are confident that she will bring significant experience and insight to support GDT. This will enable us to achieve our goal of ensuring that community benefit funds have long term positive impacts locally, through good stewardship and partnership working.”
Helen Keron commented “I am excited to be joining Glenkens & District Trust at such an important time. GDT plays a vital role in supporting communities across the Glenkens and District, and I look forward to working with my fellow Trustees, Foundation Scotland and developers to build on the strong foundations already in place. It's so important to keep local voices at the heart of the decision-making on how these transformational community benefit monies can be utilised.”
GDT embraces the fact that community benefit funding provides long-term monies for the area, and the need for consistent and strategic planning. This planned transition reflects GDT’s commitment to continuity, strong governance and to earning the ongoing support of the communities it serves.
About Helen Keron
Helen Keron has made her home in the Glenkens since 2006. Prior to that, she was an engineer and project manager in the oil industry, but since then has worked in Galloway communities in a variety of roles. She project managed the renovation of New Galloway Community Shop, worked for the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme and most recently was Chief Exec of the Glenkens Community and Arts Trust. She is currently the Head of Communities and Place at Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway, the regional representor for the third sector in D&G. She is also a member of the South of Scotland Regional Economic Partnership and is on the Board of Scottish Rural Action. She has volunteered extensively in her community and is passionate about seeing rural communities thrive. Loch swimming is her current favourite pastime, as is ferrying teenagers around the countryside.