FIONA ALLDRIDGE
Profile: FIONA ALLDRIDGE
january 2005
Name: FIONA ALLDRIDGE
Position: Independent Consultant
Company: ALLDRIDGE CONSULTING
e-mail: fiona(at)alldridgeconsulting.com
Web: www.alldridgeconsulting.com
FACT FILE | |
Main business areas: Management & Fundraising (strategic planning, organisational structures, budgeting, start-up activities/ventures, reviews, planning, feasibility studies, research) | Date business started: 2002 |
Number of consultancy staff: 1 | Countries of operation: UK, Switzerland and other countries in Europe |
THE BUSINESS
What range of clients do you serve?
Nongovernmental and intergovernmental organisations.
How has your business evolved since it was started?
Although it is still early days, it seems that the projects have moved on from being much broader based in terms of fundraising issues to much more specific challenges, such as focusing on how to build corporate partnerships.
Where will your consultancy be in a few years time?
I would like to be working in partnership with associates where I can bring in a particular expertise and equally draw on the expertise of others, according to their specialist areas, thereby offering more to the clients.
I would also like to expand my activities, working much more across Europe, as different countries become more sophisticated in their fundraising techniques and adopt advanced level fundraising, e.g. corporate partnership building using a more holistic approach.
Although based in France, travelling to different locations is easy and relatively inexpensive. We are fortunate having 4 international airports near-by, all served by the low-cost carriers.
Which opportunities and threats do you see for your work in the sector and for the development of NPOs?
Opportunities: The EU as more countries join – a greater sense of cross-cultural learning and opportunities for more partnerships. This is also the case as globalisation continues to become more evident. The internet, too, is forever providing more opportunities, be it research, fundraising, working in partnerships, the virtual office (keeping the costs down for NPOs), working for anyone from anywhere, etc.
Threats: Possibly EU regulations - if, for instance, it meant more complicated laws being imposed in respect of charity registration, charity accounting, etc. However, I’m not against accountability!
Which sources of information do you find most useful in your business?
- Trade magazines Professional Fundraising, Corporate Citizenship Briefing, I have also just started looking at Philanthropy in Europe.
- Books I’m keen to read or dip into the new (not so new now!) edition of Ken Burnett’s “Relationship Fundraising”, also Ross and Segal’s “Breakthrough Thinking”.
EUCONSULT MEMBERSHIP
Why did you join EUConsult?
Mainly for the contact with something bigger. You can feel a bit alone when freelancing. It also helps with your own discipline, e.g. subscribing as a member to the Code of Ethics.
The other main reason for joining is the networking opportunities that membership provides. The potential for working together and sharing skills with others as associates is an important aspect.
With which other EUConsult members have you found the opportunity to cooperate on projects?
I am cooperating on some projects with International Fundraising Consultancy (John Baguley). And I certainly hope there will be other opportunities.
BACKGROUND INFO
Where and what did you study?
Actually, I didn’t go to university. Having completed a year’s secretarial studies (doesn’t that sound old-fashioned!) in Oxford, I went straight to work in London, first working for the film industry. I then trained whilst working in marketing for the private sector and worked my way up the ladder. However, between changing careers from the private to the voluntary sector in 1992-93, I took time off to go to Bible college.
How did you first get involved in NPO consultancy?
After working in the commercial sector for 10 years, voluntary work in the field for a year and then for NGOs for another 10 years, it seemed like a good “next stage” in my career. It all started with an opportunity to do some consultancy work for WHO, after I had left the “UK FOR UNHCR” as their CEO and moved to set up business in France.
What interests you most about staying in the field?
The variety of work and also the variety of people you work with. And the opportunity to be more hands-on rather than just management-based.
What do you do to relax and forget your consultancy work? I like to go walking by the lakes and gorges of the spectacular Verdon, near where I live in the South of France. I often visit local food markets and enjoy cooking, especially when we are entertaining and hosting groups at our Gite and Retreat Centre in the hills of Provence.
