Recruit a Chief Executive

Background:
Launched in 2007, RNF sets up and runs children’s homes in India, and has grown from one home to over 20 in just 10 years. Having established itself as a self-funded operation with one sole funder, the board and trustees decided it was time to start the process of seeking external funding and wanted a consultant to help write bids. Action Planning was chosen from a shortlist of three.

Brief:
The brief started with a request to advise on overall fundraising strategy, then to help with bid writing. This evolved to a recruitment campaign for a Chief Executive to run the UK end of the charity and to focus predominantly on fundraising.

Process:
We initially wrote a strategy paper, which identified trusts and major donors as the most promising areas for RNF’s fundraising. An attempt at outsourced bid writing did not get off the ground and RNF felt that, with time very short, what was needed was a full time Chief Executive, with a clear focus on fundraising. We created an honest yet compelling Candidate Information Pack and advertisement that would attract candidates with the requisite fundraising skills and leadership experience, and carried out an intensive executive search campaign. We received a very strong response with 79 completed applications, out of which we conducted 12 Skype interviews. From this we selected five candidates to recommend to the client for final interview.

Outcomes:
RNF selected their favourite candidate from the shortlist of five and we completed the process by writing to the unsuccessful candidates, offering to discuss any questions they had about the selection procedure.

Consultant's Insight:
It always pays to get to know and work closely with the client, so the service can be tailored to fit what they need, what they want and what is practical in the circumstances.