With the UK economy continuing to grow, wages outstripping inflation and employment on the rise it has never arguably been a better time for the social sector to think more strategically about its approach to board recruitment and development. However, life is never that simple. Especially with the challenge of three more years of austerity and service delivery organisations facing greater competition from the private sector.
Since 2011, I.G. Advisors has supported a wide range of individuals and organisations on their social impact journeys. Carlos is the Founder and CEO of I.G. Advisors and has worked with a wide variety of philanthropists, foundations, companies, charities and social enterprises. Interviewed by Prospectus CEO, David Gold, Carlos answers a range of questions covering data and impact, relationships between funders and organisations, and the value and perception of fundraising – as well as what I.G. Advisors learned from Star Wars.
It’s funny, if someone had of suggested I write a piece on this subject even a couple of years ago I would have refused on the grounds that I was certainly too young to fully understand the ‘real-life’ issues facing our elderly, much less the implications of providing quality care for them. Fast-forward 18-months past my big ‘50’, and add a widowed mother with rapidly progressing Dementia and complex care needs to the equation, I guess my own ‘tomorrow’ has arrived. Now I feel ready, and at least partly-qualified, to consider what for many people from younger generations is still a demographic time-bomb we can think about addressing in the future. But here’s the ‘rub’, to use another well-worn quote – The future is closer than you think.
Before a recruitment campaign begins, a number of crucial areas must be discussed and addressed. Critically, you must decide what you are looking for. Certain organisations might want specific skills to support the achievement of strategic objectives, some might want to attract the best and brightest talent and minds, and others might want to sign up individuals with contacts and a high profile.
At a recent dinner I hosted for a group of beyond profit chief executives, the topic of the senior leadership teams was discussed and particularly how important it is for a chief executive and an organisation’s success that it attracts good people. This is of course even more important in a sector that builds and invests in society’s human capital.
2015 has brought significant changes to family rights including the introduction of Shared Parental Leave. Jane Klauber of Russell-Cooke LLP summarises the developments in this area.
As the saying goes, even the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry – but the importance of succession planning should never be underestimated.
12-months since speaking at our HR Breakfast we catch up with Steve Whitehead, Director of People and Equality at Citizens Advice. Last November Citizens Advice began a bold, hands-on approach to transform how they recruit, manage, develop and support their people, with particular emphasis on creating a culture that supports positive transformational change. A tall order for any organisation, but somewhat ambitious for one with over 6,500 staff, 3,300 offices and 22,000 volunteers. 12-months on we interviewed Steve Whitehead to see whether their unique approach is paying dividends and learn about the journey so far.
I was recently asked to give a talk at CASS as part of a one day discussion on “the morality of charity.” Inevitably much of the talk was around funding and the embedded and differing relationships between the funders and the funded. I thought I would try to capture that part of my talk into a short piece, partly to help me get a little clarity.
I’ve been recruiting fundraisers for nearly four years now for a range of organisations including Tate, London Business School, Science Museum, Macmillan and Oxbridge Colleges and it has often surprised me that more development professionals don’t look to transfer their experience into a different cause, because when it happens it often yields mutually beneficial results for both parties.
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