We are delighted to announce that Off the Record Bristol has been shortlisted in the UK-wide Charity Governance Awards 2017.
We are in the running for the Managing Turnaround award and the prize of a £5,000 unrestricted grant. OTR is one of just 21 charities from across the UK that complete the full shortlist.
OTR joins a shortlist of charities representing a diverse range of subject areas including LGBTQ, prisoners, homelessness, medical care and support, disability services, the arts, and more. A 20-strong judging panel shortlisted the entries and will select a winner in each of the seven categories. The winners will be announced at the official awards reception in London on 24 May 2017, with former cabinet minister Sir Vince Cable delivering a keynote speech.
Here’s a summary of what we’ve achieved and why we’re nominated in this category:
In 2008 Off the Record faced an uncertain future. An independent consultant found that the charity wasn’t ready to survive in a world where competition between providers would become the norm and risked financial collapse without immediate action.
The newly-appointed CEO, leading a streamlined board, took the bull by the horns and launched a transformative strategic plan transitioning the charity from a counselling service to focusing on mental health. As a result Off the Record is now thriving, reporting incredible financial growth of 1500% and reaching even more beneficiaries.
Our Chief Exec, Dr. Simon Newitt, said:
“This nomination is a great recognition of the Trustees’ particular role in our success over the past few years. OTR are now supporting more young people than ever before in our 50+ year history and it is thanks to strong leadership that we are equipped and able to provide this”.
Michael Howell, Chair of the Trusteeship Committee at the award organisers The Clothworkers’ Company, added:
“Congratulations to all of the shortlisted candidates – they provide the third sector with sterling examples of what can be achieved with excellent governance”.
The Charity Governance Awards are organised by The Clothworkers’ Company – a City Livery company that supports trusteeship initiatives – in partnership with not-for-profit consultancy NPC (New Philanthropy Capital), volunteer matching charity Reach, and recruitment specialists Prospectus.
The 20-strong judging panel boasts a wealth of experience in charity governance and the voluntary sector. The judges include Michele Acton (CEO, Fight for Sight), Dawn Austwick (Chief Executive, Big Lottery Fund), Tony Cohen (Chair, Barnardo’s), Vicki Hearn (Director, Nominet Trust), Vinay Nair (Co-founder, Lightful), Dan Corry (Chief Executive, New Philanthropy Capital), Janet Thorne (CEO, Reach volunteering) and David Gold (CEO, Prospectus) among many other notable names. (See full list of judges here).
For more details visit www.charitygovernanceawards.co.uk. You can follow the awards on Twitter using hashtag #charitygov17.
OTR press contact: Liam McKinnon / liam@otrbristol.org.uk
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Charity Governance Awards 2017 – Full Shortlist
Board Diversity and Inclusivity
George House Trust
MindOut
Voluntary Arts
Embracing Digital
Asthma UK
Raise The Roof Kenya
Royal Opera House
Embracing Opportunity and Harnessing Risk
Body & Soul
Changing Futures North East
WINNER, the Preston Road Women’s Centre Ltd
Improving Impact – charities with 3 staff or fewer
Green’s Windmill Trust
St. Peters Community Wellbeing Projects
The INSPIRE Foundation
Improving Impact – charities with 4-25 paid staff
FutureVersity
Key4Life
Prisoners’ Education Trust (PET)
Improving Impact – charities with 26+ paid staff
St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital
Step by Step
Treloar Trust
Managing Turnaround
Dementia UK
Kentish Town City Farm
Off the Record (Bristol