Restructuring and building up

Today we announce a consultation on a major restructuring, and a decision to expand our King's Cross Office to provide a home for more of our members.

Our Chief Executive Sir Stuart Etherington said:

"Like many of our members, NCVO is affected by cuts in public spending. Over the last 18 months we have been consulting with our members, staff, assembly and partners about what our priorities for the future should be in the context of reduced public funding. We have taken a fundamental look at what we do, how we do it, and how best to represent and support the sector into the future."

Key features of the proposals which are being consulted on with staff today include:

• Building on our key strength in research to provide new services to members in this area
• Launching a new parliamentary advice service to our members
• Expanding the direct support we provide through our consultancy staff
• Expanding our support to the sector around Public Services and the Compact

NCVO currently has 117 staff. Under the proposals 66 posts are at risk – including posts funded by Capacitybuilders which the government has decided to close - and 37 new posts are being created. We anticipate that approximately 30 people will lose their job.

Sir Stuart said:

"By taking a fundamental look at how we deliver services, I am pleased that we are planning to continue to provide support to the sector in the challenges they face around funding, governance and leadership, campaigning, collaboration, good employment practice, ICT and to expand our support around the Compact, public services, and parliamentary advice. Many of our 8,400 members are going through a very tough time and they need this support more than ever. I am very sorry that because of reductions in public funding that some posts will cease to exist. All staff have been informed of the planned restructure and we have begun a period of consultation with the staff and the union to ensure that the transition is as fair and as smooth as possible."

He continued:

"I am also announcing today that we plan to expand the offices we own at King's Cross, by building an additional floor onto the building (subject to planning permission). We already provide a home for like-minded organisations and it is an arrangement that works very well. We would like to provide a home for more organisations in the future, and perhaps provide a place that our members can visit when they are in London for a coffee, and a chance to meet with us and the other voluntary organisations."