EUConsult Information Service
2005 May
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Member Profiles
Daryl Upsall
Name: DARYL UPSALL
Position: Chief Executive
Company: DARYL UPSALL CONSULTING INTERNATIONAL
e-mail: daryl(at)darylupsall.com
Web: www.darylupsall.com
FACT FILE | |
Main business areas: Consulting to NGOs (communications, fundraising, management, strategic planning, etc) and Executive Recruitment. Working together with associate companies: Face to Face Fundraising (Fundraising Iniciativas Spain) and Telephone Fundraising (The Fundraising Company Spain) | Date business started: 2001 |
Countries of operation: Spain, UK, Switzerland, France, Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Netherlands, Ireland, USA |
THE BUSINESS
What range of clients do you serve?
I mainly work with NGOs, although I am also currently working with a more unusual client – the Madrid 2012 Olympics bid. Primarily, the consulting clients I serve are large multinational NGOs and national clients in Spain.
How has your business evolved since it was started?
Since the business started, I have been successful in establishing a number of formal and informal relationships with other suppliers, and being a member of EUConsult has played a part here. Through partners such as THINK Consulting and others, we are now one of the few agencies who can offer a truly global service to NGOs.
Where will your consultancy be in a few years time?
My aim is to continue to evolve through partnerships and to establish a new brand for the executive search side of the business. I would imagine that within a few years I will be in a position to engage 2 or 3 salaried consultants in Spain. I would also like to expand services to clients in Spain to include event organising and helping charities attract corporate supporters.
Which opportunities and threats do you see for your work in the sector and for the development of NPOs?
The big opportunity for us, which was something that we had not anticipated, is actually the Spanish market itself. To start with the intention was not to work in Spain, but to work internationally. However, a number of Spanish charities made contact, because they not only needed consultancy advice, but also the other services which were largely missing within the Spanish market. With only 2.5m people from a population of 40m giving to Spanish charities, there is huge potential for growth. We want to play a key role in the development of the sector in Spain.
A major challenge is that, for a variety of internal reasons, the headquarters of large international NGOs are increasingly struggling to find the budget to be able to afford innovation and creativity. This means that, in some cases, the types of services we offer are becoming increasingly difficult to afford.
EUCONSULT MEMBERSHIP
Why did you join EUConsult?
I was persuaded by other members of the Association of the benefits of networking and building relationships with colleagues working on a European basis. I was also attracted by the opportunity to take part in a forum, together with other senior consultancy colleagues, to discuss issues that affect us and, importantly, in the absence of clients.
With which other EUConsult members have you found the opportunity to cooperate on projects?
As mentioned above, I am working together with EUConsult members Fundraising Initiatives and The Fundraising Company in Spain and will certainly take a look at other opportunities as they arise.
BACKGROUND INFO
Where and what did you study?
I studied Social and Political Science at St Catherine’s College, Cambridge.
How did you first get involved in NPO consultancy?
I had worked for NGOs since leaving university – mostly in development and politics, but also for “revolutions” (working for Nelson Mandela and the ANC and the Sandinistas in Nicaragua…along with EUConsult member David Dixon). After working at the forefront of professional fundraising management in the HIV/AIDS sector, I worked with Greenpeace International for seven and a half years as their International Fundraising and Marketing Director, based in Amsterdam. After a total of 18 years in senior positions for NGOs, I decided it was the right time to set up my own business and work independently for the sector.
What interests you most about staying in the field?
As far as I am concerned, there is no going back! What I love about consultancy is the huge variety of work both in terms of clients, countries and products. No two days are ever remotely the same.
What do you do to relax and forget your consultancy work? I enjoy heading off to the country at the weekend and cooking sumptuous feasts for friends and family! As this takes its toll on the waistline I try to keep fit canoeing, mountain walking and playing golf…maybe not often enough though.
