Joy is the Business Development Manager for Dogs Trust, working as a fundraising leader and high-value fundraiser, with over 10 years’ experience in the sector. Working to engage well aligned businesses with the organisation, and create incredibly valuable and strategic collaborations. Since Joy was young, she wanted to make a difference to people’s lives and their safety, and studied International Security MSc at the University of Bristol with the aim of working in a position that made a difference. Since then Joy has worked in raising funds through events for both charity and higher education sectors.
Mike is an experienced and successful fundraising leader and high-value fundraiser, with nearly 20 years experience as a senior fundraiser before moving into consultancy in 2016. In 2018 Mike Chaired the Institute of Fundraising Major Donor Conference in London. Mike returned to Julia’s House Children’s Hospice in 2020 as Deputy CEO. He has been a mentor on the Chartered Institute of Fundraising South West Mentoring Scheme for six years in a row and is now CIOF mentoring lead nationally, advising groups on setting up mentoring schemes. He is also the named EDI rep for the South West committee.
Claire has been working in fundraising for 20 years. Working mainly in Community Fundraising she has worked in various large and small charities across Wales & the South West. Claire has been the lead for Marketing and Communications, Vice Chair, Treasurer and is now the Conference Lead for 2024 for the South West group. She is Treasurer on her children's school PTA. Claire joined the committee in 2020 after being part of the Mentor scheme the year before.
Laura joined the committee in 2020 and is an Area Fundraiser for Children's Hospice South West and manages all community and corporate relationships across East Devon and West Somerset. Laura first started out in fundraising over 10 years ago, and has since gained a wide range of experience working for both small and large charities. Laura is proud to be a fundraiser and is passionate about providing excellent supporter care and stewardship. Laura lives in Exeter and when not working will usually be off exploring beautiful Devon with her family and 2 year old son.
First bitten by the fundraising bug as a student RAG activist, Adrian has 28 years’ experience of direct approach and community fundraising. He has worked at Action Aid, Macmillan Cancer Support and Alzheimer’s Society as well as spending time with fundraising agency the Dialog group. He is currently Fundraising Compliance Manager at Versus Arthritis. Adrian delivers the introductory certificate in Fundraising, part of the institute’s academy programme and is part of the best practice group for that qualification. He lives in North Bristol.
Lucy has been fundraising for 22 years, working in Community, Corporate and Events. Since moving to the South West she has worked for smaller local charities, combining work for a Special School and freelance fundraising for a variety of clients. She is a proud fundraiser who enjoys prolific networking and bringing together potential partnerships and collaborations. Lucy has recently completed the Leaders in Fundraising Course and enjoys bringing new ideas and strategies to local charities. When not working Lucy can mostly be found ferrying her daughters around and enjoying their wild company!
Lianne is the Global Supporter Care Manager for international animal welfare charity, Animals Asia. In her first role within the charity sector, she has been with them over 6 years; working in Supporter Care, Community Fundraising, Events and Legacies. Her passion for the bears they rescue shines through in all that she does. Working remotely from Bristol in a global role, Lianne enjoys exploring the city, watching live music and just completed her first Marathon. She joined the committee in 2022 as Bursary Lead.
Natalie is the Philanthropy Manager at the Youth Adventure Trust. Natalie joined the fundraising sector 15 years ago, initially in legacy fundraising before moving to raise funds through major gifts, community and digital fundraising. She has been both a mentee and a mentor on the Chartered Institute of Fundraising South West Mentoring Scheme, and is also a trustee for two other charities, a grant-making trust, and a local volunteer befriending service.
Dan Fletcher has had a broad charity sector background since the mid-90s but started out as a food scientist for Nestlé UK. He held leadership roles in fundraising and marketing between 2000-2011, focusing on major gift fundraising from individuals, trusts and corporates. Since 2011 he has worked as a consultant across all nonprofit sectors, advising clients on strategy, governance, capital campaigns, delivering fundraising programmes, and reviewing fundraising processes. Over the years, he has held voluntary roles on different Chartered Institute of Fundraising committees, including the Cultural Sector Network. He currently sits on the Chartered Institute's Finance and Resources Board sub-committee and is treasurer of Greening Tetbury.
Despite only having worked in the charitable sector for 5 years, Stewart has amassed a wealth of experience in a variety of fundraising areas. He previously worked at Rowcroft Hospice in Torquay, starting out as Events Manager, organising their iconic Sleepwalk event as well as developing a programme of new mass participation events. He then moved over to head up their Trusts and Grants team just prior to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading on a step-change project to increase their Hospice at Home service, before pivoting to seek ongoing funding support during the harsh pandemic period. Stewart is currently the Fundraising Manager at the Mare and Foal Sanctuary, where he leads on four income streams – trusts and grants, in-memory giving, major donor giving and legacies, as well as line managing their Community Engagement and Events Officer and assisting with the development and stewardship of their corporate partnerships.
Emma is a voluntary sector advisor and fundraiser with a keen interest is getting projects off the ground and “fit for funding”. She joined the charity world in 1997 to support community groups involved in regeneration programmes. It didn’t take long to realise that the challenge of income generation underpins so much of the voluntary sector’s concerns. For over 25 years she has advised and supported mainly small charities and voluntary organisations with their project developments, organisational strategies, and fundraising plans. Emma now works as a free-lance consultant offering skills, experience and perspective on developing projects, people and organisations. Emma has been a trustee of Children’s Scrapstore in Bristol for too many years, including periods as Chair and Treasurer, helping to steer the charity through its ups and downs. She joined the Chartered Institute South West committee in 2023.