Primary role is to help coordinate and facilitate more effective emergency response across the Southwest and North of England through collaboration between local, regional and national voluntary sector organisations with statutory bodies, particularly through the Covid response phase; this included Stakeholder Engagement with National & Local Government Depts, LRFs, Military JMCs, PHE & NHS stakeholders and VCS Local Liaison Leads. Supporting the coordination of the regional team and providing monthly reporting to the Secretariat; and as the country has moved into the recovery and preparedness phases working with the secretariat to assist with the development of longer-term operating models, systems and processes and communications plans. Additional work includes undertaking a review of VCS LRF cells to develop best practice polices and chairing the SW Regional VCS LRF Chairs network.

Worked with the founders of StreetVet to transition it from a non-profit limited company to a registered charity by writing the business plan, charitable objects and Charity Commission application to achieve charitable status in January 2019. The following year was spent recruiting a staff team and implementing systems and processes including HR, operational, financial and strategic. Despite the impact of Covid, the small board of trustees were able to increase income significantly and continue operations as well as transitioning the board from management to governance roles before resigning at the completion of my 3-year term.

Based at Army HQ SW the role objectives were to coordinate with Military, LRFs and other statutory bodies to identify workforce needs in the voluntary sector across the area of operation and mobilise RE:ACT personnel to bridge those gaps; and to assist with the recruitment of military veteran volunteers to act as spontaneous volunteers. Despite being the area with least initial need, the SW recruited and deployed more volunteers than any other region to complete tasks including temporary mortuary and hospital support; food security; logistics and strategic planning; PPE management and distribution; and testing and vaccination support.

Over enthusiastic student...

One of three core staff tasked with mobilization of newly registered disaster response charity in the UK. Successes included securing premises and funding, recruitment/on-boarding of nine staff and 2000+ volunteers and mobilising teams in response to 15 disasters in the UK and abroad over a 24-month period; support in set-up of policies, finance, IT and data management infrastructure and development of operational and training procedures. Managed all media/social media exposure including celebrity and Royal supporter engagement. In addition to the business set up, responded to a number of UK disasters including Tadcaster flooding and bridge collapse and flooding in Coverack, working in a multi-agency environment to ensure rapid and effective support for affected communities.

As Director of Fundraising and Communications launched ShelterBox’s professional fundraising capacity and developed a long-term fundraising and communications strategy to evolve in line with operational activity. Developed national and international campaigns and implemented rapid onset fundraising capability in the event of disaster striking, including tripling the planned income of the charity in FY 2009/2010 to £20m. Reviewed and updated data platforms and systems to ensure effective compliance and governance over fundraising and financial activity. Recruited and managed a cadre of celebrity patrons to raise the profile of the charity; secured regular national and international media including the lucrative Telegraph Christmas Campaign; pitched for and awarded DfID Rapid Response Facility membership.Concurrently deployed as Response Team Leader. This role included operations management and deployments focused on assessment and delivery of shelter and non-food items following major disasters and conflicts. Key challenges included beneficiary needs assessments, logistics, liaison and activity implementation with national and international military and governmental bodies, operations in partnership with NGOs and INGOs and within the humanitarian cluster system, adherence to international humanitarian aid guidelines; reporting and reviewing activities. Implementing learning in the design and implementation of training courses and continued professional development for response team volunteers.Deployments: L’Aquila earthquake, Italy; Swaziland, HIV/AIDS epidemic; Padang earthquake, Indonesia; Mentawai tsunami, Indonesia; Haiti earthquake; Syria refugee crisis, Iraq; Malawi floods; Nepal earthquake.

Led all aspects of political lobbying and campaigning including a major national petition backed by Sir Paul McCartney and presented to David Miliband as UK foreign secretary, resulting in the UK becoming signatories to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Delivered fundraising and PR for the charity as well as assessment and review of operational activities where grants had been provided. Personally undertook field assessments in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Kosovo. In addition to funding landmine clearance, played a key role in achieving the UK adoption of The Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility programme into the FTSE250 company including assessment, review and implementation of an environmental and charitable strategy. Managed two international development activities taking over 100 staff to Namibia and Borneo raising significant funds for partner charities. Introduced a mobile phone recycling scheme which generated over £10k pcm for partner charities