It is with great sadness that we at Cerebral Palsy Scotland pay tribute to our former Chairman, Jim Campbell, who passed away on Sunday 26 May 2024.
Jim Campbell joined the board of the charity (then known as Bobath Scotland) in 2007, after spending his working life building up successful businesses in financial services.
He became Chairman of the Board in 2009 and served in that role until 2016. Jim made a significant contribution to strengthening the organisation throughout his tenure, and broadened its mission from being a charity that served the Glasgow area to one that served the whole of Scotland.
Jim initially focused on reforming the charity’s finances to ensure that the organisation was on a more secure financial footing, and subsequently brought together a strong board of trustees to support the charity going forward.
His leadership, contacts and negotiating skills were critical in securing a permanent home for Cerebral Palsy Scotland at Craighall Business Park. Jim also strengthened the charity’s governance procedures and to that end oversaw the transition to becoming a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) in 2016.
On leaving the board he continued to pursue a fundraising ambassadorial role. He was awarded the inaugural Terrific Trustee award at the Scottish Charity Awards in 2017 to mark his contribution to the work of the charity.
Paying tribute to Jim, our CEO Stephanie Fraser said:
“Although Jim had no personal connection to cerebral palsy, in supporting Cerebral Palsy Scotland over the years he saw an opportunity to use his financial and business skills for the good of others in a totally selfless way.
“He was committed to making the charity “think like a business”, and professionalised it from board level down. When he recruited me as CEO in 2012, he mentored, supported and challenged me, along with the rest of the staff, to develop and grow the charity so it could reach more people and families.
“Jim would always roll his sleeves up to help, taking part in countless events and persuading individuals and business to support the charity. He was incredibly self-effacing, and refused to take credit as being a catalyst for change; but that was exactly what he was.
“Jim’s contribution to the development of Cerebral Palsy Scotland was immense. I can honestly say that the charity would not exist today without him.”
Jim Campbell will be greatly missed by everyone at Cerebral Palsy Scotland who knew him. We extend our deepest sympathies to Nina, Fraser, Catriona and Fiona.