Experience

The Right Course

• United Kingdom
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer

  • May 2021 - Present

  Leading the establishment of The Right Course as we seek to expand into new prisons and secure funding to continue our work. Follow at @RightCourse_UK The Right Course aims to provide industry-relevant training and qualifications in hospitality to learners in prison that leads to employment in the sector. We work with our partners to ensure that all learners receive industry-standard work experience in authentic settings, quality-assured training, additional training from voluntary industry experts and employment opportunities on release. Learners work towards front or back of house level 2 qualifications. Our restaurants and cafés operate five days a week for prison staff to access. This gives our learners a real-life operations experience, that is busy and tests their skills, consistency, and attitude. On the job training and working towards industry recognised qualifications means that learners are job ready when released. Regular visits from industry volunteers helps to enhance the training and facilitates interactions with potential employers.



The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation

• United Kingdom
• Philanthropic Fundraising Services

• Chairman, Board Of Trustees

  • Mar 2020 - Present

  The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness of the long-term, damaging effects of bullying by connecting communities and raising funds to support those doing real-world work to eradicate bullying. We stand up against bullying regardless of to whom it happens. We support organisations and projects that help stop bullying, help those hurt by bullying and/or help increase equality and diversity. We do this because up to 50% of children and young people and many adults in the UK say they have experienced bullying. People who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender are even more likely to be bullied. People who are bullied feel disconnected, leading to a sense of isolation and loneliness. They are often wary of others and lack quality friendships. They can suffer from low self-esteem, poor achievement, an increased risk of depression or anxiety and, in extreme cases, a higher risk of suicide. standupfoundation-uk.org Help make a difference https://www.justgiving.com/bencohenstandup



DM Thomas Foundation for Young People

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations

• Executive Director

  • Mar 2015 - Mar 2021

  Responsibilities include: - Providing leadership in developing the strategic vision, policies, fundraising campaigns and key messages. - Developing and maintaining corporate partnerships. - Growing donor engagement with fundraising, volunteering, in-kind support and charitable activities. - Delivery of an annual income circa £2 million. - Presenting to key stakeholders and sector forums. - Maintaining an effective and efficient organisation including legal and fiscal requirements from the Charity Commission. - Overall management of the Foundation including all liaison with the Board as well as oversight of grant giving, programme delivery and income generation. - Direct responsibility for the management team and oversight of the day-to-day running of the office as well as our network of 200 community champions.



Hilton in the Community Foundation

• Executive Director

  • Oct 2004 - Mar 2015

  Responsibilities include: - Overall management of HCF including all liaison with the Board as well as oversight of grant giving and fundraising activities. - Providing leadership in developing the strategic vision, policies, fundraising campaigns and messages of HCF. - Presenting HCF’s work to key stakeholders and sector forums to position HCF as a leading corporate funder. - Maintaining an effective and efficient organisation including legal and fiscal requirements from the Charity Commission. - Growing staff engagement with fundraising, volunteering, in-kind support and charitable activities. - Delivery of an annual income of £2.4 million. - Direct responsibility for the management team (7 people) and oversight of the day-to-day running of the HCF office as well as our network of 200 community champions. As Director of HCF I have: - Affected change on the lives of over 2 million young people through partnerships and grant support to 800 organisations. - Raised over £19 million - Doubled income since 2004 to £2.4 million per year. - Increased grant giving by three-fold. - Expanded grant making and fundraising operations into 27 European countries. - Implemented grant monitoring and impact systems. - Increased engagement in fundraising, grant giving and volunteering - Delivery of key fundraising event and development of pan-European fundraising campaigns - Lead and implemented a strategic reviews which resulted in refocused grant strategy targeting young people and vulnerable groups. - Restructured the organisation to enable it to deliver on its objectives as developed in the Foundation’s strategic plan. - Developed and introduced policies and procedures including a grant and event management database. - Represented the Foundation at: international conferences in Athens, Brussels and Istanbul; events and private dinners including some hosted and attended by members of the Royal family; regional business conference as well as at sector forums.



Aga Khan Foundation UK

• Communications & Fundraising Manager

  • Jul 1997 - Jul 2004

  (Positions include: Communications Assistant, Communications Officer, Communications Manager, and Communications & IT Manager) Responsibilities included: - Raising an annual fundraising target of £2 million. - Developing a calendar of events and project managing its delivery. - Developing a corporate donor base. - Writing, designing and production of marketing and communications material (including annual reports, video, presentations, DVD and web design) to support programme and operations staff throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. - Office management. - IT support to the office including maintenance of the NT Network, hardware, staff training and trouble shooting. - Database design and maintenance. Achievements included: - Raising £2 million from community fundraising sources. - Contributing to the raising of, and the reporting against, £61 million of grants from government and multilateral donors. - Responsible for annual operational budgets totalling £600,000. - Increasing donor base by 40% in three years. - Training and mentoring staff (9 team members). - Developing and improving fundraising systems across Europe. - Production of institution-wide materials including videos, presentations, brochures and leaflets. - Communication consultancies to sister agencies in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Portugal and Tajikistan. - Established new offices in Brussels and Portugal. - Development and delivery of London exhibition celebrating Central Asian culture.



International Crisis Group

• Belgium
• International Affairs
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Assistant to Director Policy & Communications

  • Jul 1995 - Jul 1997

  Responsibilities included: - Organisation and documentation of all aspects of international advocacy missions. - Liaison with ICG board members, government officials, international organisations and the media. - Production of ICG’s quarterly magazine and annual review. - Promotion of the organisation through web and print medium. - Other duties included preparing project budgets, liaising with field staff, arranging media interviews, and providing written and oral responses to enquiries from other organisations/general public. Achievements included: - Helping to secure £3 million in core funding from government donors. - Organisation and participation in high profile visit to Beirut for Senator George Mitchell and delegation. - Launch of website. - Relocation of operations to Brussels.