FOE makes life better for people by inspiring solutions to environmental problems. It has more than 220 local groups across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and is part of FOE International, a worldwide network of over 75 national organisations.
Read the testimonial
A return to old pastures
They say you should never go back but I just couldn’t resist the request from FOE’s MD, James Whiting – how often do you get the chance to return to your old job, eight years on, let alone your place of work? So it was with a mixture of trepidation and excitement that I said ‘yes’ to the interim role. After all, I must have done something right the first time or they wouldn’t have asked …
What did I find on my return? Plenty of familiar faces, many improvements, the same incredible passion for the cause, but an organisation that had lost confidence in its marketing abilities. Here’s some of what I achieved in the six months I was there for three days/week:
- Worked with the fundraising teams and heads of department to rebuild confidence
- Revised the fundraising plan and £10m budget
- Helped restructure the Fundraising, Communications and Activism department
- Contributed to the new business strategy
- Initiated a successful multi-platform emergency appeal
- Recruited a new Head of Fundraising
What Friends of the Earth said
Simon took on a newly created position of Director of Fundraising, Communications and Activism on an interim basis for six months.
The organisation was emerging from a restructuring and needed a strong, calm, expert hand to guide the sixty or so staff in a variety of teams – this is just what we got in Simon – and more.
He became a crucial and trusted part of the Senior Management Team, and contributed greatly to the overall leadership of the organisation. He was a galvanizing force for his teams and crucially he built excellent relationships with all parts of the organisation which was of huge value to his teams and managers.
He leaves with the respect of everyone, from the Board to managers, staff and volunteers.
James Whiting
Managing Director, Friends of the Earth