Catherine Weaver Mciof Email & Phone Number

Quedgeley, Gb

Swindon, England, United Kingdom

I oversee a multi-million-pound grant-making program that empowers NHS Foundation Trust projects to elevate patient experiences. From environmental improvements to the latest state-of-the-art equipment, our funds drive clinical trial research, service enhancements, and vital training and development for staff. As the strategic lead for the fundraising function, my team deliver initiatives across major giving, legacies, trusts and foundations, corporate and regular giving, community support, events, and cash appeals. My experience spans large-scale capital campaigns and the generation of unrestricted funds, ensuring resources are directed where they are needed most. My leadership ensures that our efforts continuously push the boundaries of excellence in patient care.As the strategic lead for Voluntary Services, I oversee a vibrant and diverse team of 500 volunteers from 20 different nationalities, serving across 80 placement areas, including community roles. Leveraging the lessons learned from our COVID-19 response, I played a crucial role in creating a dynamic, demand-led volunteer responder model for the Foundation Trust. This innovative model adapts to the hospital’s needs, complementing our well-established traditional ward support. Our volunteer roles are diverse and impactful, including patient befrienders, way finders, dementia buddies, end-of-life companions, cancer buddies, pharmacy volunteers, and pet therapy volunteers. The service we've developed makes a significant positive impact on both social and economic outcomes in our local community, reducing health inequalities. It plays a vital role in establishing our local NHS as an anchor institution, providing meaningful employment opportunities for those furthest from the job market through volunteering.

Swindon, United Kingdom

I lead a multi-million-pound grant-making program that supports NHS Foundation Trust projects in enhancing patient care. We fund everything from environmental upgrades to the latest cutting-edge equipment, driving clinical trial research, service improvements, and essential staff training.As the strategic lead for fundraising, my team delivers initiatives in major giving, legacies, trusts and foundations, corporate and regular giving, community support, events, and cash appeals. My experience with large-scale capital campaigns and generating unrestricted funds ensures that resources are allocated where they have the most impact.Through my leadership, we continually push the boundaries to ensure excellence in patient care.

Swindon, United Kingdom

As the lead fundraising Trustee for the Fluency Trust, I drove initiatives that supported this remarkable charity. In collaboration with Swindon Borough Council, we delivered highly specialist residential courses for young people who stammer, making a profound impact on their lives.

Cold Ash, Berkshire

I lead the £6.5 million Centre for Learning capital campaign at Downe House, driving fundraising development, management, and implementation. I analysed school fundraising practices, producing a comprehensive 10 Year Vision strategy and compelling case for support.My work embedded a culture of fundraising at Downe House, focusing on cultivating and stewarding major donors. I modernized the donation process, introduced a supporter charter, and created a robust solicitation pipeline for major gifts from individuals, charitable trusts, grant funders, and corporate partners.This resulted in the Foundation Office raising over £626,000 in 12 months, with an additional £26,000 in pledges. I also launched the school’s first direct mail appeal to parents and alumnae, raising just over £83,000 in 3 months, and devised a sponsorship and naming opportunities giving scheme, encouraging innovative support for the Centre for Learning.

Reading, United Kingdom

I recruited a dynamic team of 19 innovation and customer marketing staff to pilot new client services with a £2 million budget. I led service development programs, reshaping Guide Dogs' and Blind Children UK's non dog focused mobility services, and assessed the impact on systems, structure, and culture to ensure alignment with Guide Dogs Family strategies.I strategically planned customer marketing for Guide Dogs and Blind Children UK service users, advocating for the customer by identifying needs related to service provision, experience, and engagement. I defined and managed the service innovation process, evaluating and overseeing future service development opportunities.I developed and implemented an end-to-end new product/service development process, from pre-feasibility analysis and scoping to pilot delivery, research commissioning, business case preparation, and process/template design. This comprehensive approach ensured successful innovation and service delivery.

London, United Kingdom

In collaboration with the CEO, I established the Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity, securing its independence from the NHS Foundation Trust and gaining Trustee approval for the fundraising strategy. In its first year, our marketing and major gifts strategies raised £1.8 million.I launched a major gifts program, generating £336k from 125 high net worth individuals and £92k from 20 corporate partnerships within its first six months. I managed the charity's special events program, including the inaugural Gala Dinner at the Guildhall, raising £267k.Within 18 months, I built a trust and foundation program from scratch, securing over £400,000, including £200,000 from the Fidelity UK Foundation and £75,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation. This program also saw contributions of £50,000 from the PF Charitable Trust, £33,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and £15,000 from the Hedley Charitable Trust.

Swindon, United Kingdom

Following a major restructure at the National Trust I was instrumental in the creation of the newly formed internal Marketing Agency, developing a client service structure, client development plans and account management teams. I acted as central lead for the regional and property Marketing Consultancy to advise on the development of visitor marketing strategies appropriate to specific regional and local markets.I was responsible for the Marketing Campaigns and Projects function within the National Trust Marketing Agency, developing strategies that attracted 18 million visitors (domestic and overseas) to National Trust built heritage, coastline and countryside places each year. My team led on multi-channel campaigns and projects that increased paid visits year on year, delivered a significant ROI across secondary spend and improved opinion of the brand. I was responsible for the development and management of the award winning 50 things to do before you are 11 ¾ campaign , The Great British Walk, Special Places visitor campaign, Love My Outdoors membership, and acted as project lead on the new National Trust retail and catering launch.I was responsible for the promotional strategy to inform the National Trust’s annual budgeting process regarding visitor numbers, including reports to the operational task force. I influenced the core promotional and pricing strategy to optimise the number of visits, using the Trust’s preferred market segmentation model – in the context of the Trust’s corporate strategic plan. I analysed trends within the leisure and tourism sectors, including the visitor attractions’ ‘industry’, in particular the heritage sector.I managed a team of 8 members of staff and a budget of £5 million.

Swindon, United Kingdom

Following a reorganisation at the National Trust I became responsible for the Guardian mid value giving programme, Neptune Coastline campaign, as well as the National Trusts special capital appeals programme.I was responsible for the development and organisation of special events that engaged and deepened relationships with high value donors. Events included a drinks reception aboard HMS Albion, intimate dinners at National Trust properties, lectures at iconic London venues and out of hours private property tours.I managed the Neptune Coastline Campaign direct mail appeal mailing 400k supporters raising between £600k – £1,000,000 per year, and the National Trust’s general funds integrated campaign ‘For Ever for Everyone’(direct mail, inserts and email), which raised £500k of funds each year for use wherever the need was greatest at the National Trust. I was responsible for emergency campaigns which supported the acquisition of properties and archaeological features on the coast and in the countryside.Prior to the organisational review I developed and managed the set-up of new marketing techniques for the Direct Fundraising Team, this included the introduction of telemarketing (cash conversion, upgrade and new donor welcome calling), and the Gift Aid on Entry scheme which raised £2 million pounds worth of tax relief on admission fees at National Trust properties. I managed 1 member of staff and mentored 3 others.

Oxford, United Kingdom

I developed and managed Oxfam's first integrated through the line marketing recruitment campaign ‘Give Poverty the Push’ using DRTV, radio, cinema, email, outdoor billboards, cross track advertising, adshells, telephone marketing, doordrops, inserts, cold mail and press ads to the general public promoting the idea of regular giving. I liaised and managed external and internal creative agencies in the development of new creative, and managed production staff involved with the production of marketing materials.I was budget holder of the £2 million project budget, as well as part budgetary responsibility for the overall Prospecting Team budget of £6.7 million +. I acted as account manager of Oxfam TV’s media agency (WWAV Rapp Collins) and call handling agency (CPM International, Thame).

Oxford, United Kingdom

I project managed large/complex direct marketing recruitment and retention campaigns using DRTV, email, telephone, mail, press, inserts and door drops, to existing supporters and the general public.I was the account manager for the Oxfam DRTV account with WAVV Rapp Collins and call handling agency CPM International. I had budget responsibility for the Oxfam DRTV budget (£2 million) and the Oxfam Door Drop budget (£800k). I was responsible for Oxfam's emergency marketing response programme managing urgent action mailings and press campaigns for the response to the West Niger Food Crisis of 2003, the Bam Iran Boxing Day earthquake of 2003, and the Indian Ocean Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004.I liaised with external and internal creative agencies in the development of new creative and managed production staff involved with the production of creative and analysis of results.

Oxford, United Kingdom

I project managed large/complex supporter retention and development campaigns using email, telephone and mail to existing supporters and the general public.I was the account manager for the Oxfam regular giving and cash conversion programmes. I managed the production of the supporter care magazine ‘Oxfam Reports’.I liaised with external and internal creative agencies in the development of new creative and managed the production of creative and analysis of results.

Oxford, United Kingdom

I was responsible for liaising with the press and other commercial organisations in order to gain publicity for specific events and promote the research council as a whole. I produced a daily magazine and designed questionnaires and tickets for marketing events.I organised training events for the Research Council liaising with external course tutors.I was responsible for updating personnel databases with employee history and personal details, compiling pay information for annual pay reviews, preparing employees for age retirements and age retention’s and assisted with long-term attachments abroad.

Future Leaders Programme

The programme is designed to meet the needs of experienced fundraisers with the desire to become future heads or directors of fundraising..

Minstf Certificate In Fundraising Management

The Certificate in Fundraising gives a solid grounding in the theoretical concepts and principles behind fundraising. It examines the role.

Innovation: The Key To Business Success Certificate

Using case studies from the University of Leeds and major high street retailer, Marks & Spencer, theory and practice is connected.

Ba (Hons) Combined, Fine Art And English Literature

Activities and Societies: Helped manage and organise the PR for the 1996 and 1997 Raise and Give events. Helped run and present the 1996.