About me

I am the Fundraising Research Manager at The Stroke Association, the Chairman of Researchers in Fundraising and an Associate Editor of fResource. I also present the research section of the DSC's course on major donor fundraising, How to Win Major Gifts.

I started working for The Stroke Association in late 2005, after three years out of the charity sector working for News International (the publishers of The Times, The Sunday Times, etc.)

Before this I was the Prospect Research Manager at Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity and before that I was a high value fundraiser in the Marketing Department of Imperial Cancer Research Fund.

I set up The Prospect Research Toolkit in August 2006. It arose out of a desire for such a site when I returned to prospect research after my 'sabbatical' from the charity sector. You know what they say, if you want something doing, you have to do it yourself...

Acknowledgements

I wish to thank all those who have kindly contributed in one way or another to this website: James Clark, Finbar Cullen, Corrie Darker, Clare Grieve, Joanna Griffiths, John Harvey, Claire Iredale, Catherine Kernohan, Adrian De Luca, Genevieve Marshall, Mel Matthews, Dan Russell, Sacha Tremain & Peter Wylie.

The phrase 'Ooh - a worryingly exciting time for anoraks!' at the top of the Identifying your Prospects page comes from Finbar Cullen, during an email exchange between Matt Ide, Finbar and myself, when we were trying to determine how best to compare research resources. Yup, we are geeks.

Finally I am most grateful to the lovely Stroke Association for their encouragement and support during the creation of this website. Although I work for The Stroke Association, this site is not affiliated with them nor with any other organisation or group.

Testimonials

"Gold dust for all those new (or rusty) in prospect research." - JG

"I think you are a little crazy...but I love your site." - TH

"I love your blog!" - CD

“It’s very, very funny. Such a dry subject but he makes it entertaining. You can use that comment on your website if you want!” - AN

"I would like to send you a chocolate bar as a thank you for your great website that helped me with my interview presentation. I got the job and am very happy indeed. So thank you!" - VP

"Your web page is truly amazing really serious and well written stuff - deep respect!!" - JS

"Love this site! Thanks. All I ever wanted to know but didn't know who to ask...." - CB

"Yes, it's a lovely site darling, now come and have your tea." - Mat's mum

"I haven't seen you in church recently. What? Oh, yes, yes, not a bad website...for an atheist." - God

This website was produced on a wet Sunday afternoon using Mr Site, which is a pretty fucking, funky way to do it. Go on, make your own website - you know you want to!