Professional Qualifications

2004 – Contribution to Charity Radio Station Award

2005 - The Chief Fire Officers Trophy (an award for above and beyond the call of duty). I was and still am the only fundraiser to have received this trophy

2008 - Fundraising team of the Year from Third Sector Awards


Fellow of The Institute of Sales & Marketing Management

Member of Chartered Management Institute

Associate Member of The Institute of Leadership and Management

Former Member of The Institute of Fundraising

Associate Chartered Institute of Marketing

Associate Member Chartered Institute of Public Relations

Personal Statement

I wrote a regional standard operations procedure for The Fire Fighters Charity and implemented this throughout the many Fire and Rescue Services to safeguard both the management and firefighters from any risk. I have written a number of business plans for the corporate sector. In addition, I have written articles and press releases which have been used in local and national press such as The Mail on Sunday.

I have delivered many presentations to audiences ranging from Corporate Sponsors to employees. I have organised and taken part in live and pre-recorded radio and television interviews on behalf of charities and have worked with BBC local and national radio and television, GMTV, Granada Breeze and other satellite stations. I have been involved in press conferences for the launch of a £1 million pound appeal with Sarah, Duchess of York, and Sir Alex Ferguson.

I have experience in delivering training courses to volunteers. I try to ensure that these sessions are interesting and that delegates leave the course with a greater understanding and knowledge of the charity and its objectives.

When working as a team, I always ensure that each person is comfortable in their role. Good team work is one of the most important things you can have. I always remember that I am part of that team – regardless of my position within the organisation.

For over 15 years I have been involved in a management role for private companies. My management skills have been clearly demonstrated to the extent that even after leaving The Appleton Group in May 2004, my previous employers would telephone me for advice and direction. This extended to a request for me to personally deal with a number of redundancies.

I have a great deal of experience in managing key relationships with sponsors, partners and volunteers.
Whilst at The Appleton Group, I was responsible for the budget control and all finances for the whole company. I had to plan, and implement the budget for each of the 11 years that I was employed with them.

I managed a number of 30 staff over 5 sites, and ensured that each office ran within budget and all finances were controlled by myself. I wrote the office procedures manual and devised strategic plan and marketing strategy of the company.

During my accounts management period, I was responsible for office and administration budgets, and for over 10 year’s charity accounts as a volunteer. With the charity accounts I worked on a ratio of a 5-1 return, and, as with all accounts, I have always tried to obtain the best deal in any expenditure.
I have marketed and promoted both charities and companies at exhibitions and conferences, using research and information gathering to ensure the company/organisation presence is at the place it needs to be. I have worked on various marketing initiatives such as e-shots, mailshots, door to door, company and individual direct contact.

I have a good background in organising high profile media events such as fundraising gala dinners and prestigious golf days. When with the Fire Fighters Charity, I initiated the very first team running event and took a party to the New York marathon, this event grew from a 9 strong team and in just 4 years I filled the maximum places I had of 45, where I raised a total of £50k profit. I still maintain the relationships with NY for any future opportunities. I was project manager of the charities steering group, for the World Fire Games 08 which was held in Merseyside. I put together the Chiefs Challenge, where over 50 Chief Fire Officers or Chief Executives took part to raise £1000 minimum for our charity. Andrew Collinge celebrity hairdresser also took part. This was a unique fundraising event.
With my background on fundraising events, I would be able to support volunteers in their events and with their ideas.

I have always exceeded my fundraising targets and in the final year of working for the Fire Fighters Charity brought in over £250k which was above my personal target by £130k, a first for any fundraiser.
When working as a team, I always ensure that each person is comfortable in their role. Good team work is one of the most important things you can have. I always try to create an atmosphere whereby the team members know that they can rely on my support and guidance when they experience problems, both personal and professional.

I have worked with many corporate companies both UK and Global to promote the work of the charities and deliver talks and workshops to engage the staff to support the cause.

Within the Fire Fighters Charity, I worked with various grants and trusts to look for funding for the charity and negotiate with corporate companies for annual income and regular giving.

As the founder of the North West Branch of Tommy’s, The Baby Charity I set up a team of volunteers and defined the fundraising strategy for that area whilst ensuring that the overall objectives of the charity were being fulfilled

I set up the very first Fundraising Committee which was run by volunteers of combined brigades within the fire service. The charity had never worked in this way, and because of the work and plans I installed, I had an area representative (volunteer) in each brigade, and representatives (volunteer) on all stations. It was my responsibility to recruit the volunteers, and I always ensured that my volunteers worked as a team, and that each person was comfortable in their role. Good team work is one of the most important things you can have. I always tried to create an atmosphere whereby the volunteers or team members know that they can rely on my support and guidance when they experience problems, both personal and professional.

I have managed a direct mail regular giving campaign for retired and beneficiaries or the fire service and ensured that the regular giving officers followed up on any leads that were returned. I have set up Regular Giving teams and also worked with external companies on Face to Face fundraising campaigns.

I have worked within regions and realise that each area has different markets and opportunities. I would research the area fully to ensure a business development plan is assigned that would work within that region.

I have excellent communication skills, and have worked with external partners to promote the charities or organisations that I have been involved with.

I currently work within business development role and evaluate potential opportunities. I always ensure that I know who my customers are, that I understand their needs, and that I exceed their requirements whenever possible. I have always been able to spot potential opportunities to maximise support, increase income/donations, and raise brand awareness. I manage and organise International Symposiums and Conferences.

I am familiar with the statutory requirements of the regulator – The Charity Commission, and have dealt with them personally when addressing issues relating to concerns associated with an event jointly hosted with a third party charity organisation. I am also familiar with the best practice guidelines provided within the Institute of Fundraising handbook.

I have always been able to communicate with people at all levels of an organisation. Each person deserves respect and I encourage those who are less confident to come forward and be comfortable in a team environment in which they know their opinion is valued.

I have a number of key contacts throughout the UK and Northern Ireland and excellent business relationships with all Chief Fire Officers and I am confident that they would support me in any work I am commissioned with.

I have represented the companies and charities that I have worked for at management level and attended conferences and exhibitions as both a delegate and exhibitor.

I receive frequent feedback on the way in which I utilise my natural enthusiasm and communication skills to encourage people and gain their support, very often convincing them to undertake events they have previously refused to take part in.

I am confident that my background of Administration and Accounts management, combined with my experience of over 15 years as a volunteer and professional charity fundraiser, my business development roll, I would be able to fit well within your organisation and deliver your vision.

Assignment History

(This Candidate has recently been shortlisted or contracted for the following people4 assignment)

• Business Developer: Experienced, home based business developer with experience in B2B services and the use of CRM systems (ideally Infusionsoft) & MS Outlook. Please apply for more details.