Friends of the Earth is operating without a permanent director or head of fundraising more than a year and a half after the departure of its previous director of fundraising, Ruth Ruderham.

Upon questioning by Civil Society, Friends of the Earth said it will this week begin advertising vacancies for two positions; a director of fundraising, communications and activism and a head of fundraising.

Since Ruderham left her role as director of fundraising at the organisation more than 18 months ago to take up the equivalent post at Christian Aid, Friends of the Earth have had three people acting as consultants or interim directors.

Simon Bernstein, who had been director of fundraising and communications at Friends of the Earth from 1997-2002, has recently taken up an interim role and will reportedly stay in post until replacements are found. Simon Burne, from Think Consulting, and Liz Showell, now director of fundraising and communications at the Children’s Society, had assisted with fundraising management at the organisation over the period of the vacancy.

Neil Verlander, a spokesman for Friends of the Earth, said the delay in recruiting a replacement for Ruderham was caused by the fact that “her departure coincided with the organisation being restructured”. He added: “This process took some time, but we are now ready to recruit.”

Verlander said that over the past months Friends of the Earth’s managing director James Whiting has taken control of the fundraising team.

Despite this lack of permanent director or head of fundraising, the organisation has managed to keep income steady. “Over the past year we exceeded our fundraising target – and we are on target for the current year,” said Verlander.

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Friends of the Earth without director of fundraising for nearly two years

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Directory: Friends of the Earth
Who's Who: Ruth Ruderham