JGP News

Ex Notting Hill Housing and CABE executive joins talent management provider

Web-based HR and talent management provider JGP has appointed former Notting Hill Housing group corporate services director and CABE resources director Jayne Hilditch as chief operating officer.
Hilditch will assume responsibility for managing growth and profitability at the company as it continues its rapid growth in the public sector. JGP helps over 100 public sector organisations to build online strategies for changing HR needs and meeting the Government’s wider Transformation Agenda.

Before joining JGP, Jayne was group corporate services director at Notting Hill Housing Group. As part of a new executive “turnaround” team, she helped the group achieve Audit Commission “one star with excellent prospects” rating within first six months after previously indifferent assessments from the government watchdog. She was also instrumental in the rethinking and re-branding of the housing provider’s public image and its internal communications in the last couple of years.

Prior to her position at Notting Hill, Jayne was director of resources at the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), the government’s advisor on urban design and the public space. She was responsible for the establishment of a new corporate infrastructure for CABE to help manage its growth from 32 to 90 staff during her tenure. This included setting up a resources team that drew on a variety of disciplines such as IT, Finance, HR, FM, compliance to meet organisational objectives.

Jayne Hilditch said: “The public sector is changing quickly – more quickly than people realise and JGP is helping many bodies address tough recruitment and cost saving challenges. It’s very exciting to be joining a social enterprise that has such impressive growth potential and genuine commitment to help both local communities and individuals.”

JGP co-founder Richard Tyrie said: “JGP is achieving rapid growth and we’re delighted to have someone of Jayne’s expertise and know-how joining our senior management team to manage and improve our corporate processes. She has a very impressive record in helping organisations achieve the flexible performance structures that enable them to hit demanding performance outcomes and growth targets.”
Jayne is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountancy (CIPFA) and has a BSc Economics from Warwick University.

The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) has announced it is to continue funding the Church Urban Fund, it has been revealed.

It will receive £181,076 in revenue from the government department over the next two years to help it continue its efforts

This represents a continuation of the funding which those working for the public sector organisation has been receiving since its foundation in 2006.

Andy Turner, manager of the Church Urban Fund Xchange, commented: "The OTS has a strong track record as a rigorous funder and by giving this money as a grant it sets a great example to other government departments."

Following on from receiving funding, charities may able to maintain sustainable efficiencies effectively.

In other news, a new campaign has been launched comprising of 140 charities called Remember a Charity, Thirdsector.co.uk has reported.

Stephen George, chairman of the new group, said that it should become "part and parcel" of everyday work for charities to focus on the growing trend of the baby-boom generation to leave money to charities.

More about sustainable efficiencies

Despite the impact of the credit crunch, donations by members of the public to those working for charities are not expected to fall.

In a ThirdSector.co.uk article, a number of charities claimed that although individual contributions are set to remain consistent, there may be a shortfall in legacy income.

Giles Pegram, director of fundraising at the NSPCC, said: "We haven”t seen any effect on our voluntary income.

"Evidence and experience suggest that downturns in the economy don”t have much effect on individual giving."

Meanwhile, Paul Breckell, finance director for the RNID, reported that as house prices continue to fall the organisation has lowered the amount of money it will receive in donations through legacies for 2008.

However, a drop in such fundraising income, he reported, has yet to take place.

Richard Turner, director of fundraising at ActionAid, claimed that during times when incomes fall regular donations are often "one of the last things to go".

Such news might interest those looking to maintain sustainable efficiencies.

In other financial news, James Bevan, investment officer at CCLA, recently advised those in the third sector to avoid investing money into high street bank accounts as doing so may mean they lose out on millions of pounds in revenue each year.

More about sustainable efficiencies.

A new campaign urging those working in the third sector to increase their legacy fundraising has been launched, it has emerged.

Remember a Charity, which comprises more than 140 organisations, is soon to announce the more details of the operation which is set to be launched in the autumn, ThirdSector.co.uk reports.

Prompted by a study in May about the public’’s motivation for leaving money to charity, the campaign is expected to target the so-called "baby boomer" generation.

Stephen George, chair of Remember a Charity, said it was crucial for the charity sector to support the campaign and said such a focus "must become part and parcel of our everyday fundraising work".

Indeed receiving such guidance on fundraising could help third sector groups to improve their skills framework.

Meanwhile, the Ethical Investment Research Service Foundation has stated that charities need to take ethical investment seriously.

It made the assertion after a study found that 83 per cent of people said they would be less likely, or unwilling, to leave money to a charity that does not have a responsible investment policy.

More skills framework information.

Those working for charities are being urged to respond to a HM Revenue & Customs consultation to help them get a better deal on VAT.

Plans by the institution propose fewer calculations and simpler rules for charities concerning partial VAT exemption laws, ThirdSector.co.uk reports.

Graham Elliott, charities specialist and consultancy firm Haysmacintyre, said: "It’’s important charities respond to this consultation."

Thomas Mobee, senior VAT manager at accountancy firm Saffery Champness, agreed, calling the proposals "excellent".

He said the advantages include enabling charities to use one set of calculations over the year and adjust it at the end rather than making quarterly calculations.

Such news could be of interest to those third sector groups looking to maintain sustainable efficiencies.

Earlier this month charities were invited to attend a series of workshops to help them manage through the credit crunch.

Arranged by the Charities Aid Foundation, the sessions start in October and will advise voluntary and community organisations on matters such as maximising tax-efficient donations.

More about sustainable efficiencies.