Interest in the vacant Institute of Fundraising chief executive role has increased significantly since last year, with the Institute receiving 75 per cent more applications for the position this year than last.

The Institute of Fundraising has received 49 applications for the chief executive position, which became available following Amanda McLean's departure from the role after just four months in office.

When McLean (pictured) was recruited, in the summer of last year, the Institute had received 28 applications. This time around the organisation will embark on a multi-stage process of selecting the winning candidate, which will first be short-listed by the recruitment agency hired by the Institute. The board is understood to be keen to be particularly thorough in recruitment after MacLean's resignation came so soon after her appointment.

The Institute aims to have appointed a permanent successor to MacLean by the end of July. The successful applicant will then be expected to take up the post once they have served their notice period, which should mean the new chief executive has their feet under their Vauxhall desk by November.