The American fundraising consultant Simone Joyaux has been chosen to chair the board of the Centre for Sustainable Philanthropy at Plymouth University.

Joyaux, who teaches a philanthropy graduate programme in the US, is also chair of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, and founded the social justice organisation Women’s Fund of Rhode Island.

The 15-strong board includes Lord Hodgson, the former chair of NCVO who led the review of the Charities Act, Tim Hunter, director of fundraising at Oxfam, and Tanya Steele, executive director of fundraising at Save the Children.

At their first meeting last Friday in London the board members were given a preview of the centre’s research findings, received an update on the progress of the fundraising think tank Rogare and the fundraising strategy for the initiative.  

Professor Adrian Sargeant, director of the CSP, who selected the board, said: “The centre has only been going since the start of this year, but we have made some startlingly rapid progress, with new research projects, establishing our fundraising think tank Rogare, and putting together what is to our knowledge the largest team of researchers dedicated to fundraising and growing giving ever assembled under one roof.

“To oversee us and make sure we stay focused on our objectives, we need a board of the highest quality. I think any nonprofit would be overjoyed to have just a few of the talented and experienced professionals who have agreed to serve on our board.”

Other members include Gill Raikes, chief executive of the Royal Brompton and Harefields Hospitals Charity and former director of fundraising at the National Trust, Leon Ward, a trustee of Plan International and UK Young Ambassador to the Commonwealth, the philosopher Julian Baggini, and Fiona Duncan, deputy director of the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland.  

Joyaux said: “The sector needs greater capacity to raise more money. The sector needs more knowledge that proves how to raise more money.

“That’s why I’m so thrilled to work with the new centre. And I deeply admire my colleagues on the board brought together by Adrian Sargeant.”