The Institute's next CEO - fundraiser or newcomer?

14 Sep 2010 Voices

Tania Mason wonders what kind of leader the Institute of Fundraising needs next.

Who will fill Lindsay Boswell's shoes?

Lindsay Boswell is just a few yards from the finishing line in his marathon stretch as chief executive of the Institute of Fundraising.  The Institute’s trustees have received 28 applications from people keen to step into his shoes. The word on the street is that the board members fall broadly into two camps: those that support the appointment of an experienced fundraiser who is immersed in and understands the issues, challenges and opportunities facing the profession, and those that would prefer an outsider, someone with commercial experience in skills other than fundraising, who would bring an entirely fresh perspective and no baggage to the role.

Which would you prefer?