Thanks so much for your interest in becoming Forward Action’s next Chief Executive Officer.
It has never been easier to bring many thousands of people together to act in pursuit of a shared cause. We’ve seen surges of progressive change as a result – the acceleration of the demand for action on the Climate Crisis; the Black Lives Matter movement; even Marcus Rashford’s campaign for free school meals.
This is why we set up Forward Action back in 2015. We felt that the potential of digital mobilisation to open up powerful new avenues of impact for progressive organisations was – and, I would argue, still is – largely untapped within the UK charity sector. Forward Action exists to help progressive organisations build digital mobilisation programmes and unlock the power of supporter action to change the world for the better.
Along the way, we’ve partnered with some of most inspiring and impactful organisations in the sector, and delivered success I’m immensely proud of – raising millions for Refuge during lockdown, working with Dignity in Dying to significantly shift the dial on political support for assisted dying, with a legalisation vote now scheduled in Scotland, and recruiting over 500,000 people for ONE’s campaigning email list, to name just a few. Now, seven years after we started, my co-founder Joe & I believe this is the right time to step aside and let someone else shape Forward Action’s next chapter.
This is an exciting moment in Forward Action’s journey. Firstly, accelerated by the pandemic, charities increasingly understand the urgency of harnessing both the power of the internet and public action if they are to remain relevant and impactful. Forward Action is right in the thick of driving this transformation.
Secondly, we are committed to living our progressive values not just in the work we do but in how our organisation operates. In the coming months, we will be transitioning the company to an Employee Ownership Trust model. This will enable our team to own the company – and the benefits of their work – themselves. In addition, we’re planning to trial a four day working week from January 2023 (which you would be able to enjoy, too). We see this as an exciting next step in our mission of making Forward Action the most inclusive, enjoyable and enriching place to work it can be.
Last, but far from least, we have a brilliant team in place, each person kind, hardworking and passionate about making a difference. We have a supportive, open and inclusive culture. And we have a roster of fantastic partners with whom we’re delivering impact on everything from climate change to refugee rights.
As our next CEO, you will lead us through this exciting period of possibility and change. Running an agency with an authentic impact-led mission requires someone who can straddle both worlds, as comfortable living and breathing our work as you are running a commercial organisation. We’re looking for an outstanding manager and leader who can set an inspiring vision for our team and provide thought leadership for our sector, as well as someone who can safeguard our financial sustainability for years to come.
Alex Lloyd Hunter, Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director.