Partnership in Practice:
a case study
Background of the Charity
£3.5m in fixed assets
mainly freehold property, some of which was costly in upkeep and not used efficiently.
£5m in long-term investments
with one investment manager; last reviewed seven years ago.
£2.5m in cash
with one investment manager; last reviewed seven years ago.
Income of £0.8m
(all through fundraising and donations) and expenditure of £1.2m.
Management team
dealing with the day-to-day running of the Charity.
Board of Trustees
making governance, strategic and financial decisions.
Engagement
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Optimum Support initially appointed to help with an investment review. As the relationship grew, we provided ongoing advice to the trustees and became a trusted point of contact and support for the management team.
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Optimum Support helped the charity create an appropriate investment policy.
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A selection process of the “right fit” investment managers was carried out and the decisions taken were implemented.
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Optimum Support attended trustee meetings and advised the trustees on developing a sustainable strategic plan and budget.
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Optimum Support introduced the trustees to a chartered surveyor whose expertise and experience were appropriate to the successful sale of a particular building.
Impact for the Charity
Organisation
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The Trustees’ time was freed up as Optimum Support took on the administrative work relating to the completion of the investment review.
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The Trustees were able to demonstrate best practice in the governing of the Charity through the advice and help Optimum Support provided.
Economic Position
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The Charity was advised on how to improve its income stream and limit liabilities.
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Further diversification of investments improved the Charity’s income stream and smoothed out the volatility in their portfolio.
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The Charity benefited from the professional contacts provided by Optimum Support.
Community
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The Charity arranged events to create awareness within their community based on the planning from their strategy and budget meetings.
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They shared their best practice actions with other charities that had similar goals.
Long Term Vista
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Optimum Support consistently attended meetings and was always available. This aided effective communication between the management team and the Board.
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Organisational structures and decision-making processes were improved through the relationship with Optimum Support.