Community First Step CEO appointed to support Fairfield community

Community First Step (CFS), a not-for-profit (NFP) organisation based in the New South Wales suburb of Fairfield, has recently appointed a new CEO, John Gilmore. 

CFS works within the Fairfield community to support local people to overcome social and economic disadvantage. Mr Gilmore replaces Lesley Jordan, interim CEO, who held the role for 12 months prior to his appointment. 

Mr Gilmore, who formally commenced in the role in mid November, has a strong background in the NFP sector, and has until recently led the team at Adele Training Farm, a social enterprise with multiple business and training streams. 

Praising the work of Ms Jordan, CFS Chair Matthew Day said “Lesley has been a wonderful interim CEO, teaming with the board to build a long-term strategy and develop a management team to execute against this strategy. It is now time to pass the baton to a long-term CEO. John has proven himself in past roles to be an exceptional leader, whose experience stabilising organisations during periods of significant change was a key factor in his appointment.” 

Mr Day noted that Mr Gilmore took the helm “at a time when CFS is forging an exciting future after a year of changes and consolidation” and would maintain the focus on creating opportunities for the larger community of clients within the Fairfield area. 

CFS has three core service areas in Fairfield, namely Disability Services, Community Services and Children’s Services, and this scope, Mr Day said, would ensure that Mr Gilmore’s role would be “varied and challenging, though amply supported by a passionate, experienced and committed team of staff”.

Mr Gilmore was welcomed to the appointment by the Board, leadership team and all staff at CFS, all of whom “look forward to the initiatives which John, with his broad and varied employment history which includes consulting and corporate roles, will undoubtedly bring to the organisation.”

More information on CFS may be found here.