Andrew Hind has today announced that he will step down from his role as editor of Charity Finance magazine and join the Fundraising Standards Board as its new chair.

Hind, who was previously chief executive of the Charity Commission, will take up his position at the independent fundraising regulator on 16 September.

Hind has edited Charity Finance magazine, Civil Society Media's flagship title, since 2011, but will give up the job in September. He will remain as a non-executive director of Civil Society Media and will continue to work for the company as a strategic advisor on finance and governance.

At the FRSB, Hind will replace Colin Lloyd, who announced in April he would step down after spending nine years in the role of chair.

Hind said of his appointment to the FRSB: "Good fundraisers not only raise the income which is the lifeblood of UK civil society, they also help donors to enjoy the experience of supporting a charity and to understand the issues behind the causes concerned.

“However, the events of recent weeks show that the unacceptable fundraising practices of some charities, and the agencies who work for them, has got out of balance with the need to respect the right of the public to say no. That balance now has to be quickly re-established.”

‘It is right to review fundraising self-regulation’

Hind went on to say that he believes it is “right that the arrangements for fundraising self-regulation are to be thoroughly reviewed”. He said he believes that “roles and responsibilities need to be clearer, funding needs to be adequate to do the job properly, and tougher sanctions need to be applied to those who damage public trust in fundraising”.

Hind added: “I look forward to working with colleagues at the Fundraising Standards Board to ensure we play our full part in implementing whatever new arrangements are introduced for the regulation of fundraising in the future."

Commenting on the appointment, outgoing chair Lloyd thanked his colleagues on the board for their “invaluable support”. He also thanked the staff team at the FRSB.

He said: “The sector is now at a crossroads where fundamental change must occur in order to ensure that any sub-standard fundraising is isolated and removed, so that it cannot tarnish the public’s trust and confidence in the amazing work of UK charities and the importance of public donations in funding that work. I could not wish for a more able successor to pass on the reins than Andrew Hind and I wish him every success in his future role at the FRSB.”

Changes at Charity Finance

Hind, who led the Charity Commission between 2004 and 2010, will continue to work with Civil Society Media, which publishes Charity Finance magazine, remaining as a non-executive director of and strategic adviser to Civil Society Media.

Tania Mason, group editor at Civil Society Media – which publishes Charity Finance magazine, said: “We are very sorry that Andrew is relinquishing his hands-on role as editor of Charity Finance, as he has really stamped his mark on the magazine and taken it from strength to strength.

“However we are delighted that he is staying on at Civil Society Media in a more strategic editorial role and remaining on our board. And we congratulate the FRSB on their excellent choice of chair – Andrew is sure to bring a healthy dose of much-needed wisdom and level-headedness to the current debates around fundraising regulation.”

Hind said: “I’m obviously very sad to be stepping down from Charity Finance after all this time. I feel very proud of the magazine and the unique service it provides to finance directors and other leaders in the sector.

“I will still be actively involved in Civil Society Media, and I look forward to contributing to its continued growth and improvement.”

Other roles

Hind will also step down from his role as non-executive board member of the Management Board at the Information Commissioner’s Office.

He will continue with his part-time roles of visiting professor of charity governance and finance at Cass Business School, non-executive board member of the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care, and trustee of charitable grantmaker the Baring Foundation.

To read Colin Lloyd’s exit interview with Fundraising magazine, click here. For magazine subscription options click here.

Civil Society Media is now recruiting for a new editor for Charity Finance. Please contact Tania Mason on 020 7819 1214 for more information and a job description.