A new entry has romped in to the number one position in the annual Professional Fundraising Most Influential Poll – the donor.

A flurry of internet activity calling for the anonymous figure to be recognised as the most important in the sector was well received and quickly acted upon, resulting in the win, and marking the end of a four-year reign by Joe Saxton of nfpSynergy.

Other new entrants in the top ten included Save the Children’s head of legacies Iain McAndrew, founder and chief executive of Justgiving Zarine Kharas and Milly Ahmed, director at Gift Fundraising.

Perhaps the biggest surprise in this year’s poll sees former Most Influential stalwart Tim Hunter, formerly deputy director of fundraising at the NSPCC and now international director of fundraising at Unicef, drop from number two to 46.

To find out more about the PF 50 Most Influential poll, visit: www.fundraisingawards.co.uk.