Technology solutions and partners: CRM, fundraising and membership

Keith Collins
Principal Consultant

"Having worked with non-profit organisations of every conceivable type - and in a number of different countries - since I started in the sector in 1992, I always find something about a client that makes working with them rewarding. Naturally, working with clients to use my experience and knowledge to help them improve is always a good feeling. However, beyond that there is always something else with any organisation that is appealing, either on an intellectual or an emotional level. Sometimes that may of course be a personal connection to the field of work that they are operating in – but sometimes it may be more of an intellectual challenge, grappling with what makes them unique in terms of complexities and needs."

Keith specialises in helping organisations identify, select, adopt and use technology to improve their relationships with all stakeholders. With some clients, this may involve helping identify and select technology solutions to support a new organisational strategy - for others, incremental improvements and new options within the tools that they already have. With experience from every perspective – as a non-profit client, as a supplier of specific technology solutions, and as an independent consultant – Keith can help non-profits ensure that their technology decisions fit organisational strategy, and that the 'softer' side of these initiatives – cultural fit, change management, stakeholder needs – are also factored in. Since 1992, Keith has worked within a number of roles in the non-profit sector. At Christian Aid, Keith oversaw the implementation of a new CRM solution, before moving to Sue Ryder Care to undertake a similar project and to set up their first Supporter Services team, including new business processes to support Gift Aid, Direct Debits and an internal IT helpdesk. Keith then moved to the supplier side, working at Blackbaud Europe to help non-profits implement The Raiser's Edge, The Information Edge and NetSolutions. With a desire to move into independent consulting, Keith then established the technology consulting division within Purple Vision, developing and delivering consultancy offerings including CRM selection, strategic technology reviews, and business process improvement. Following Purple Vision's re-positioning as a Salesforce.org partner, Keith then worked to develop and deliver consultancy and implementation solutions within the Salesforce platform, including engagements with customers and projects across Europe – with a particular focus on German-speaking countries. In the summer of 2017, Keith decided to move back into a more independent consulting role as a Senior Consultant with Adapta, since when he has worked with clients including Shelterbox, Islamic Relief UK, the British Horse Society, the National Children's Bureau, Scope and The Pony Club, on projects as varied as holistic reviews of the IT function; training and advice on GDPR compliance, and the specification and selection of new CRM systems. Credentials and Qualifications Keith is a qualified PRINCE2 project manager, and in his spare time is a volunteer football coach and manager for St Albans City Youth FC.

Mark Dendy
Senior Consultant

Mark specialises in guiding organisations as they successfully implement digital change. With many years supporting third sector and commercial organisations in using technology to improve their offerings to customers, members and donors, Mark is particularly experienced in the replacement of legacy systems and helping organisations navigate what can be a time of great upheaval. Having performed various roles across operations, sales and HR, Mark brings a balanced and sympathetic approach to projects which can look daunting to clients whose teams may never had been through a large-scale change. Whether it be CRM/membership/donor systems or finance and HR, much of the success is down to careful planning and understanding what lies ahead. As such, one of Mark’s strengths is demystifying the project and keeping relationships within the client organisation and with suppliers positive. Mark’s third sector experience includes projects with the ABI, RICS, various Royal Colleges and Societies plus some organisations using technology to underpin a move to a more commercial focus. His experience of working with banks and car manufacturers means that he is particularly able to bring commercial experience into his work with not-for-profit organisations. You may recognise Mark as a former presenter and sponsor at the popular Memcom conferences. Mark has a keen interest in rugby and golf. He was formerly a rugby referee and now, in his spare time, often spends his afternoons contemplating which tree might be concealing his golf ball.

Hamish
Programmes and Business Solutions Associate

"After a long career working in the ‘big 4’ consultancies I want to use my experience to help organisations whose goals and ethos align with my own. That is why I want to focus on the not-for-profit sector."

Hamish is an IT professional with over 30 years’ experience. He specialises in IT enabled business transformation with a focus on ensuring clients get the best business value from their IT investments. He has extensive knowledge of ERP, CRM and HR systems and was a founding member of the Deloitte Enterprise Architecture group which focussed on the selection, implementation and strategic use of Commercial of the shelf (COTS) software. Hamish has helped over 100 organisations find, implement and embed the best solution for their needs. These include housing associations, membership organisations, local authorities, government agencies and many other not for-profit and commercial organisations Hamish’s NFP clients include the Royal Society of Medicine, the Labour Party, UCAS, Cancer Research UK, Orbit Housing Association, William Sutton Trust, Bourneville Village Trust and many local authorities. Hamish’s first degree (BA Hons) was in Religious Studies at Lancaster University, and after graduating he embarked on a career in IT. He is PRINCE2, MSP and TOGAF qualified and completed CIMA part 1.

“Hamish is especially adept at aligning project outcomes and system architecture with organisational objectives, ensuring that all projects meet both functional and strategic goals. He is highly collaborative and works seamlessly with colleagues at all levels across the organisation.”

Iain
Associate Principal Consultant

Iain specialises in information systems solutions for charities and other not-for-profit organisations. He has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, having started in a software house, before training as a consultant with KPMG and then holding senior management positions both in charities, such as The Children's Society and The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust, and in the commercial sector, where he was International Group IT Director for the Random House book publishing group. Iain was formerly a partner with Sayer Vincent for over 10 years, where he led the information systems consultancy team which later became Adapta. Iain draws on his deep and wide-ranging personal experience of the sector to guide charities to develop their own achievable strategies for information systems and technology. His technical background means that he is able to combine a full appreciation of the technical and commercial issues with an understanding of the culture and context in which charities try to operate. Iain has helped The King’s Fund, Girlguiding UK, Overseas Development Institute, Macmillan Cancer Support, Oxfam UK, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s charity, UNICEF UK, National Autistic Society, Alzheimer’s Society, CAFOD, Christian Aid, Shelter and many other organisations. Iain specialises in helping senior management teams understand and work through complex organisation-wide issues and also coaches and mentors a range of IT professionals working in charities. Iain is a senior figure in the sector and is regularly asked to share his expectations, hopes and fears for the sector at key charity events and sits on a number of specialist committees.

Duncan
Fundraising Databases Associate

Duncan has been helping not for profits to make the most from their investment in database systems, since he first started working as an independent consultant in 2012. Originally specialising in The Raiser’s Edge, he has also worked with many other CRM products including ThankQ, Salesforce and Beacon. His database career started in 2003, when he unwittingly took over the managing of a Raiser’s Edge installation almost before he’d ever heard of it. That was an early and steep learning curve, but he’s never been one to shy away from a challenge. Along the way, he has become increasingly involved in related areas, such as advising on fundraising campaigns and strategies and mentoring up and coming database managers. His key focus has always been on keeping things as simple as possible and ensuring that the database works for the team and not the other way around. Additionally, he often employs creative, cost-effective methods to help organisations that find themselves in a situation where their database really isn’t working for the team and where they might be considering a migration to a new system. In such situations, he has a variety of tools and approaches that can help you get the best out of the database in a slightly different way. Outside of his database consultancy work, Duncan runs his own production company, making great videos.