News / Asher Craig
Former deputy mayor to lead ’empowering’ social enterprise
The former deputy mayor of Bristol has been appointed to lead a social enterprise that empowers Black and ethnically minoritised communities.
Asher Craig will take up her new role as the interim chief executive of Pathway Fund, bringing with her a wealth of experience in racial justice advocacy.
With over 30 years of experience under her belt as a community activist, leader, management consultant, and politician, Craig has also been involved in several initiatives that aim to provide a voice for the marginalised, such as the MAZI project and the Bristol Legacy Foundation, along with Mosaic CIC which she founded.
is needed now More than ever
Pathway Fund, founded in 2017, aims to help individuals facing barriers to education and employment by offering support through financial aid, mentorship and training opportunities.
Through grants, training programmes, and partnerships with local organisations, Pathway Fund has been working to foster economic mobility and improve outcomes for disadvantaged people.
Pathway Fund distinguishes itself as an impact investor, making for-profit investments to help create beneficial social or environmental effects.
Former deputy mayor and councillor for St George West, Asher Craig will spearhead Pathway Fund into its next phase of growth – photo: Pathway Fund
The organisation is now looking to scale up in its second phase, with Craig positioned to lead it into its next chapter.
Craig will work to ensure the success of Pathway Fund’s key programmes, collaborating with its newly appointed board and chair, Dr Michael Hastings.
Craig is a former pupil of Cotham School and a postgraduate from the University of Bristol.
In 2024, councillors demanded an independent inquiry into links between Craig and three companies that Bristol City Council paid hundreds of thousands of pounds to provide diversity and leadership training.
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Craig said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed as the new CEO of Pathway Fund. It’s a fantastic organisation with a critical mission – to catalyse Black and ethnically minoritised communities using social investment.
“I’m thrilled to have been appointed at such an exciting time for Pathway, when we are seeing our series of programmes beginning to materially improve outcomes for our communities.
“That being said, it’s an incredibly important time, too, given the need to focus on catalysing the communities supported by Pathway, following the events we witnessed during the deeply concerning race riots last summer.
“Indeed, we know that Pathway’s programmes are working. The organisations we support feel more confident in delivering for their communities. We know that this leads to economic growth, and crucially, we know that this can be done across the country.”
Pathway Fund, founded in 2017, aims to help individuals facing barriers to education and employment by offering support through financial aid, mentorship, and training opportunities – photo: Pathway Fund
Dr Michael Hastings said: “I’m delighted to welcome Asher to Pathway Fund. Both her knowledge of the space and her experience in delivering for Black and ethnically minoritised communities are unrivalled.
“She joins Pathway at an important time for the organisation – and for the sector more widely.
“There’s a clear need for us to drive racial equity in the social investment space, and Asher’s experience of doing this in a number of contexts will be invaluable in delivering this.”
Main photo: Labour Party
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