C.E. Jottings

On Trusteeship ... and lessons from Premier league soccer

A few days ago, I had a brief email exchange with Andrew Sutton about Trusteeship. The topic was prompted by Stick 'n Step's detailed description of the Trustee role which they were seeking to fill (not an easy task at the best of times - so good luck). I happened to comment to Andrew that the best summary I'd ever been told of what it was to be a Trustee was also the briefest: "Trustees are the guardians of the... Read more →

Please, (Sir/Miss as you like), have I reached my potential yet?

Not so long since, I was driving home from Pembrokeshire and up the M42 when I passed a wagon on which was proudly declared that the company that ran it was the largest large vehicle and coach recovery company in the UK. I remember thinking, for some bizarre reason, I wonder if the guy who runs it has fulfilled his potential? Careers' Master (I went to a boys' grammar school) to bright pupil: You'll go a long way, young man.... Read more →

Values and CE organisations

Do Values matter? The question “How should Paces be, that parents will invite us into their lives?” has intrigued me before. In essence, this is a question about our Values. How we present ourselves, how we are perceived, of course, matters. Customer satisfaction is crucial. Similarly, there can surely be no need to argue that we should comply with our statutory responsibilities. Likewise, that we should be well-run, aspiring to excellence in our services, needs no emphasis. In recent weeks,... Read more →

A surfeit of Governance

A few days or so ago, it was put to me that my managing style as Paces CEO was “too controlling”. Quite what was meant I’m not at all clear although I don’t think it was a compliment. Actually, I was quite surprised, as I have always thought that not being ‘controlling’, was one of my strengths. Coincidentally, I had been listening when possible to a series on BBC Radio 4 about Democracy. One week, Professor Ali Mazrui (as I... Read more →

And so, back to it. Fine week away, too.

And so, ever reluctantly, we returned from Pembrokeshire - a 6-hour, 300 mile run with 2 breaks. Sarah loves it there: 3 consecutive days on the beach sheltering from the sun under beach umbrellas; picnics every day; sleeps well at night - and, for "Auntie Sarah", niece Ria and nephew Ryan to look out for. She takes her duties as an Aunt most seriously! So, back to an important meeting first thing this Monday morning. A tough meeting for all... Read more →

Shared CEOs & joint management of charities in conductive education?

Does anyone in the UK know of any examples of charities sharing Chief Executives and having some degree of joint management - whilst preserving the independence of the separate charities? Communities Secretary, John Denham, today (30 December 2009) set up "a new task force to drive value for money for councils". Whilst I'm a confirmed sceptic when it comes to such initiatives (were Councils previously profligate with public funds, is this obvious question), I actually read the press release with... Read more →

What next?

"What next?" asked Andrew Sutton, in a blog posting that must be his shortest ever, a Subject line with no Content whatsoever. What next, indeed? "Charities will run state services" Third Sector journal reports David Cameron as saying. A spokesperson adding, "It is about removing the barriers to delivery of services by [third] sector organisations in areas such as education and health." Elsewhere in Third Sector magazine, I read that "Age UK will be the new name of the charity... Read more →

Togetherness

The contracting and procurement culture is with us. Of that there is no doubt. One consequence is that ever larger organisations and consortia will out-bid smaller charities. More, the trend is already visible towards convergence of education, well-being and employment funding One consequence is that, small or large, charities locked in single-issue silos will be outbid by organisations that make a broader offer. This week, as Chief Executive of Paces, I have been involved in reviewing a proposal for a... Read more →

A time for coming together?

I blogged recently (New Schools. The Tories Big Idea for Education?) about Tory policy for opening schools to new providers along Swedish lines, and the potential thereby for conductive education in the UK. The Government has also recently broadened the rules on the setting up of Academy Schools to admit new sponsors, that might also have benefit for CE providers. In that previous blog I asked two questions, the second of which was: "Do we dare to imagine (and build... Read more →

Best behaviour - a diversion into Governance

For the few who might be interested in Governance issues in running CE centres and charities .... came across it, oddly enough, via Twitter .... Charity Finance blog, worth a look in itself, for some ... Best Behaviour by Tesse Akpeki "Behavioural governance takes insights from relationships and the human side of leadership and applies this to the rational, the logical and the analytical aspects of governing and oversight." "When these aspects are going well, the board and its surroundings... Read more →