Contact name Heather Batchelor
Contact phone 020 7211 2308
Contact email heather.batchelor@culture.gsi.gov.uk

What does the organisation do?

BIG is the largest of the National Lottery distributors, using its share of lottery funds for health, education, environment and charitable purposes. In 2009/10 across all its operations, BIG made 14,000 awards to the value of £440 million, ranging from £300 to over £1million. BIG's mission statement is to bring real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need.

Through its four Country Committees and at UK level, BIG has awarded grants that have helped change the lives of disadvantaged and socially excluded people throughout the UK. Further information about BIG's programmes and its strategic framework 2009-2015 can be found on the Big Lottery Fund website. At the moment it distributes 50% of the good causes money raised through the UK National Lottery. The Government is currently consulting on proposals to amend BIG's share of the Lottery good causes money to 46%, from 1 April 2011 and to 40% from 1 April 2012. Also the Government proposes that, subject to a separate consultation, BIG should concentrate its funding on the voluntary and community sector in future.

What is the opportunity?

What competencies do you need?

• A strong commitment to the mission and values of BIG, including a good understanding of social disadvantage and how to tackle it.
• The proven ability to lead and manage change at a high profile organisation in a complex and dynamic environment gained in the public, voluntary or private sectors.
• Experience of chairing Boards or Committees in the public, voluntary or private sectors or experience in a Chief Executive or Senior Management role.
• An understanding of the diverse communities in the UK and a real commitment to promoting diversity.
• Experience of allocating funding, for example, through grant making or investing funds.
• An understanding of government at national, devolved or local levels, with the ability to work effectively in a political environment and act as a link between BIG, Government Ministers and Parliament.
• The ability to ensure the organisation is run efficiently within tightening financial constraints and with accountability to Parliament, the Government and the wider public. Representation and media-handling skills, including public speaking skills.
• Knowledge of the charitable, voluntary and community sector.

How do you apply or get more information?

Is there anything else you should know?

Prime Minister, David Cameron has announced the launch of a new, dynamic and self sustaining network of British and Indian young leaders, which will be delivered by Common Purpose.

The aim of the initiative is to expand, enrich and energise relations between India and the UK by investing in the next generation of leaders, and develop shared approaches to 21st Century political, economic and social challenges.

Read our media release for more...

The participants were welcomed by Consul-General Jessica Hand, and heard insights on leadership both from her and the well known pianist and composer Anjelika Akbar.

For more information and some photos from the event, visit the British Embassy in Turkey's website.

London, United Kingdom

Contact name: Sarah Day
Contact phone: 020 7268 0249
Contact email: sarah.day@victimsupport.org.uk

What does the organisation do?

Victim Support is the national charity for victims and witnesses of crime in England and Wales. We have around 1500 staff and over 6,000 volunteers who deal with more than 1,500,000 victims and witnesses across England & Wales every year.

What is the opportunity?

We are seeking to fill three Trustee places. Your commitment to us will include attending board meetings (usually six a year) plus other committee meetings and events, mostly in London and during work hours. You will be helping our charity achieve its ambitious goals as the leading organisation supporting and speaking out for victims and witnesses.

What competencies do you need?

The Board of Trustees is crucial to our success, providing guidance and leadership at the highest level of our charity. We are seeking people with a range of board level expertise with the time and commitment to devote to this challenging role and who are in tune with the diverse communities we serve.

How do you apply or get more information?

For an application pack or more information please contact Sarah Day, Board Secretary on 0207 268 0249 or sarah.day@victimsupport.org.uk. Victim Support welcomes call from Textphone users via Text Relay on 18001 020 7268 0249.

Is there anything else you should know?

Our charity has undergone huge changes in recent years to transform both our structure and our services. Most recently we have had £8m of new investment from central government to further develop our help for victims as well as launching the UK's first dedicated support service for people bereaved by homicide. In order to raise our profile and awareness of what we do, we have launched a new brand identity and national advertising campaign and will be putting in place a new long term fundraising strategy.

Download the article

A fascinting book on leadership in South Africa recommended by Elsbeth Dixon, CEO of Common Purpose in South Africa.

Here's what the authors had to say:

"The wisest, most progressive and sensible laws and policies and the best-run government departments require the actions of citizens to achieve results. In this book we look at what the citizen can do as co-architect of a peaceful, prosperous and democratic South Africa in the areas of crime, corruption, education, poverty and debt. In each of these areas we discuss both the ideas and the actions that should be the markers of a good citizen."

Book Details

Do it! by James Motlatsi and Bobby Godsell
EAN: 9781770096400

East West Masterclass -5 October 2010

Common Purpose asked global leaders - from both the East and West - to tell us what they have learnt and what they still struggle with. What is essentially common and what is deeply different about leadership? How do they combine the best of both to resonate across the East and West?

This masterclass will take the form of intimate discussions throughout the day. In the weeks after the masterclass, we will invite you to attend one of a series of small follow-up lunches with a leader who has worked successfully across the 'East' and 'West'.

Get more info, or contact us to book

Budapest Quest Day 2010 (Silicon Valley of Music) - 8 October 2010

Get more info, or contact us to book.

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