Paul Amadi appointed as new fundraising head at British Red Cross

10 May 2018 News

Paul Amadi, chief supporter officer at British Red Cross

Paul Amadi has been appointed as chief supporter officer at the British Red Cross, a new role replacing the old executive director of fundraising at the charity.

The British Red Cross said the creation of the new role reflected its “desire to offer a great experience that inspires supporters to connect with the organisation at different stages of their life in different ways”. 

It also confirmed that as chief supporter officer, Amadi will effectively be replacing Mark Astarita, who was the British Red Cross’ executive director of fundraising for 14 years. Amadi will be responsible for leading on income generation for the British Red Cross, a long with supporter engagement. 

Amadi is currently the executive director of fundraising and engagement at the MS Society, a role he has held with the charity since 2015. Prior to that, he was director of fundraising at Diabetes UK and the NSPCC. 

He has also served as chair of the Institute of Fundraising and is a founder of the Black Fundraiser’s Network. 

British Red Cross were unable to give a date as to when Amadi would join the organisation. 

Amadi 'hugely experienced' says Adamson

Mike Adamson, chief executive of the British Red Cross, said: “Paul is a hugely experienced and progressive fundraiser, who embraces this new world of supporter engagement. Over his two-decade fundraising career, Paul has improved the performance of some of the UK’s most high profile charities taking responsibility for all aspects of fundraising.

“We estimate that up to five million people come into contact with the Red Cross each year – each of these is a chance for us to connect and inspire people in ways that work for them at whatever stage of their lives they are at. That is the challenge and opportunity for our new chief supporter officer.”

Speaking about his appointment, Amadi said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the British Red Cross as its first chief supporter officer. For me it represents an opportunity to join an organisation of global renown and relevance, in a role of critical importance and at a moment of change. 

“I look forward to building on the considerable success already achieved by a talented team and committed volunteers and increasing the British Red Cross’ ability to help people in crisis.”

The British Red Cross is one of the top five largest charities in the UK based on annual income. It had an overall income of £251.7m according to its most recent set of financial accounts for the year ending 31 December 2016, of which over £135m was voluntary income. 

Its 2017 accounts are due to be published with the Charity Commission register in August. 

For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here

 

 

More on