Charity Finance Group (CFG) is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Clare Mills as the charity’s new Director of Policy & Communications.
Clare is currently Head of Communications and External Affairs at NAVCA (National Association for Voluntary and Community Action) and will join CFG in January 2022.
Clare brings a wealth of experience from both the public and not-for-profit sectors.
Before joining NAVCA in January 2020, Clare worked as Public Affairs Manager for brain injury charity Headway. In this role, she worked closely with more than 200 member organisations across the UK and engaged with the Government and MPs on draft legislation.
Prior to moving into public affairs, Clare worked in the political sphere as Head of Office and Senior Researcher for Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith MP. During this time, she worked closely with stakeholders within the local community and was instrumental in the completion of a renewable energy project worth £100m.
In her new role at CFG, Clare will lead on all policy, communications and public affairs work and will work alongside CFG’s events and membership teams to enhance member engagement and partnerships.
Commenting on her new role, Clare says:
“I’m delighted to be joining the CFG team at a time when it is strengthening its membership offer and raising its voice to ensure the sector continues to be financially confident and trustworthy.
“CFG plays a vital role in supporting individual charities, both large and small, and is a powerful advocate for them during these challenging times.
“As well as building on CFG’s significant policy and public affairs work, I’ll also be working with CFG’s charity members to ensure we continue to be their go-to body.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting them and CFG’s partners, trustees, directors and staff, all of whom are clearly passionate about the important work they do.”
Caron Bradshaw, CFG’s CEO, comments:
“I am thrilled that Clare is joining us. I have seen first-hand the quality of her work, insight and knowledge, having worked alongside her during the pandemic as the infrastructure bodies collaborated like never before.
“I believe Clare will bring a great deal to CFG and I cannot wait for her to join us in the new year. CFG, like many in the sector, are facing unprecedented challenges, so having Clare’s experience on board will help us navigate the difficult operating environment.”
More about Clare Mills, Chart. PR, MCIPR
Clare is a Chartered PR Practitioner (CIPR) and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). She has a PhD from University of Newcastle upon Tyne and has volunteered in a variety of roles in her local community. Clare has a strong understanding of charity and public sector finance, governance and leadership, having been chair of the board of trustees at Gallery Youth Project and a school governor for a local federation. Clare’s recent experience at NAVCA has seen her successfully deliver projects to bring the organisation’s members closer together digitally and strengthen channels for communication with ministers and officials. She also played a key role in helping to secure £750m of sector-specific government support in 2020.
For media enquiries, please email Emma Abbott, Communications Manager, CFG.
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