The European Fundraising Association has appointed its first chief executive to strengthen its lobbying voice ahead of EU reform of data protection and VAT.

Beatrice Schell has joined the EFA from the Oak Foundation, a worldwide grantmaking organisation based in Geneva, where as a senior programme officer she ran a budget of several millions of dollars aimed at supporting 50 organisations in Europe, India, the US and South America.

The EFA represents fundraising associations from 22 European nations, including the Institute of Fundraising.

Appointing a chief executive is critical to increasing the organisation’s capacity and ability to meet strategic goals and strengthening the EFA’s lobbying voice, the Association said.

Schell’s main areas of focus will be lobbying and advocating the EFA’s position on EU proposals on data protection, VAT and the Single Euro Payments Area.

She will also be fundraising and finding sources of funding to support the current activities and future projects of the EFA and its membership.

Günther Lutschinger, president of the EFA and chief executive of Fundraising Verband Austria, said: “This is a pivotal time for the EFA. With Beatrice’s appointment, we gain critical capacity and a strong lobbying voice that will enable us to better represent the needs of the fundraising in Europe.”

Schell said: “I look forward to working with the board and staff to ensure the EFA becomes the first port of call for the fundraising profession in Europe and to strengthen its lobbying voice at the heart of Europe.”