News

Launching Long-term Investment in Sunderland’s Social Sector

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The Rank Foundation is pleased to announce a major long-term investment in Sunderland.

With a commitment of £1.5 million, and additional funding to be secured, our Sunderland Place-based Programme will support the city’s social sector over the next three years (2024-2027) by:

  • Boosting the impact of five anchor organisations 
  • Leadership and social enterprise support training for future social sector leaders 
  • Access to funding in open, micro, and repayable grants

At the launch event held in local landmark Hylton Castle, Cllr Michael Mordey, Leader of Sunderland City Council said:

“The Rank Foundation is not just investing in projects, it’s investing in the future of Sunderland. As we look ahead, there is much to be hopeful about. Sunderland is a city that is continually evolving, creating more and more opportunities, for its residents, and rising to meet the new challenges with the sincere determination that’s always defined it. 

All of the successes and development in recent years have been down to productive partnerships by like-minded people and organisations coming together, sharing and working hard to achieve the same aims and ambitions. And we are proud to count the Rank Foundation as a key partner in that journey.”

Why Sunderland?

Sunderland has a rich industrial heritage. Once a Northeastern powerhouse of shipbuilding and coal mining, like many former industrial areas Sunderland has undergone significant economic changes in recent years.

Despite challenges Sunderland is brimming with opportunity, attracting new industries like film production, e-sports and construction innovation. Rank chose to invest in Sunderland because it is a city in transformation, with a strong community identity and collaborative statutory leadership.

Having spent time getting to know local voluntary sector leaders, it’s clear the sector can play a crucial role in community-centred regeneration.

A place-based approach: so much more than money

Rank’s place-based approach is at the heart of this initiative. No place is the same, so no place-based programme is the same. But just like our investments in Hull, Dundee and Plymouth, the Sunderland Place-based Programme will build on existing strengths in the city.

We’re committed to supporting social sector organisations that know Sunderland best, helping to build capacity and resilience in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors (VCSE).

We will collaborate with strategic partners, including local government, funding bodies, and community leaders, to leverage the local resources and opportunities for sustainable development in Sunderland.

With the support of Jen McKevitt, Rank’s Place-based Associate for Sunderland, we will focus on developing community infrastructure by increasing the resilience of voluntary organisations, and enabling them to create pathways for residents to access new economic opportunities in the city.

We’ll start by working with five community anchor organisations:

Each organisation is deeply embedded in Sunderland’s local communities. They will work together, share knowledge and specialisms, and develop a unique city-wide social enterprise collaboration.​

Long-term Vision

The Sunderland Place-based Programme will offer microgrants, repayable grants, and leadership training bursaries but our investment is not just about financial support.

It is about creating a sustainable future for Sunderland by getting alongside local leaders, community groups, and residents during the city’s transformation. The goal is to ensure that Sunderland’s voluntary sector can play a central role in the city’s regeneration, connecting people to new jobs and creating a stronger, more resilient and enterprising VCSE.

Rank’s Associate, Jen McKevitt said:

“This programme represents a significant step forward for Sunderland’s social sector. We believe that by investing in the organisations that know the city best, we can help to unlock Sunderland’s potential and build a brighter future for its residents.”

For more information about The Rank Foundation’s place-based approach and its work in Sunderland, contact Jen at: contactus@rankfoundation.com.

View the full album from the launch event:

Fellowship Futures 2024

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Our Fellows recently gathered at The Rank Foundation’s London offices for a fantastic evening at our annual Fellowship Futures event. Bringing together young Fellows starting their careers with seasoned professionals, Fellowship Futures offered more than just networking—it was a wealth of shared experiences and future plans!

One Fellow shared, “I enjoyed this event more than any other as there was plenty of time after the talks to network and chat with the panellists and other Fellows.” This perfectly captures the spirit of the evening—a place where real conversations flourished, and meaningful connections were made.

Felix Haynes (Class of 2017), now a Senior Crypto Policy Advisor at the Financial Conduct Authority, kicked off with his relatable job-hunting story and shared insights on setting career expectations, interview skills, and navigating online recruitment. Here are his top tips for early career success:

  • Balance your job search efforts and be prepared for both dream job realities and potential disappointments.
  • Leverage experiences from university clubs, part-time jobs, and volunteering to showcase your skills.
  • Conduct thorough research into job descriptions, organisational values, and annual reports.
  • For online applications, use keywords from the job description and write clearly for AI systems.
  • Prepare for competency-based interviews by using the STAR method to structure responses.

Felix’s talk was followed by insights from our panel of experts, including Felix himself; Zara Tso (Class of 2010), Assistant Commissioner at the BBC (Radio 1 and 1Xtra); Damon Falck (Class of 2016), a Quant Researcher at DRW; Simon Turner (Class of 1992), an ex-solicitor and non-executive chairman at Camellia plc; Stuart Wilson (Class of 1984), Founder/Lead Client Partner at RP International (global executive search firm); and Peter Ferguson (Class of 1998), Director at Ferguson Consulting.

Reflecting on the discussions, one Fellow mentioned, “I found the topics very engaging, particularly our exploration of generational expectations.”

After the talks, Fellows participated in small group sessions with the panel members, delving deeper into their respective fields of expertise. “I wish there had been engaging and informative sessions like this when I was struggling to find my very first job,” remarked another Fellow.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and shared their stories, making it an unforgettable evening filled with insights, connections, and inspiration!

Launch of Social Leaders North East  

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Social sector leaders in Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland can apply for Clore Social Leadership training

We’re delighted to announce our support for Clore Social Leadership’s training programme for social leaders in the North East. 

Social Leaders North East is aimed at emerging leaders in Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland. Designed to enhance strategic roles, the programme will boost community impact by building resilience, confidence and a strong support network. 

Years of underfunding and austerity made the North East one of the regions hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis. But more recently inward investment, including £37m funding for one of Europe’s largest filmmaking complexes in Sunderland, make it a place with potential. 

Clore Social Leadership’s timely bespoke training programme will enable 20 leaders to capitalise on the opportunities inward investment presents for local people. 

Who should apply?

Social Leaders North East is for leaders in small local organisations with a turnover of up to £500,000 annually.  

Taking place between October 2024 and June 2025, it will bring together 20 participants to build capacity, strengthen communities, and learn from one another. Clore Social aim to create a safe space where leaders will feel energised and can develop a network of other community leaders to collaborate with beyond the length of the programme. 

Applications are now open with limited spaces available. The deadline is Monday 22 July 2024. 

APPLY NOW

Caroline Broadhurst, Deputy CEO of The Rank Foundation said: 

“The Social Leaders North East programme is set to be a catalyst for social leaders, both current and upcoming. It will equip them with the skills and confidence needed to help our local communities. Plus, the support networks they’ll build through the programme will give them and the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise sector a vital boost to tackle ever-changing needs. We’re delighted to be part of this fantastic initiative.” 

Nadia Alomar, CEO of Clore Social commented: 

“We are thrilled to launch the Social Leaders North East programme, supporting emerging leaders to drive impactful change in their communities. By developing local leaders with the skills and networks they need, we believe this initiative will foster stronger, more resilient communities in Sunderland, Middlesbrough, and Redcar and Cleveland. Our heartfelt thanks to the Rank Foundation for making this transformative programme possible, and to our collaborators for their incredible support.” 

About Clore Social Leadership 

Cultivating positive social change is why we exist. Our primary goal is to make leadership development accessible and affordable to every social leader in the UK, supporting them to be resilient, self-aware and able to tackle the social challenges of the 21st century. Since 2010 we have delivered high-quality leadership development programmes to over 1,200 community and voluntary sector leaders. Evaluation of our flagship Fellowship programme shows 93% of participants lead more effectively since completing CSL courses and 74% have increased their organisation’s social impact. We have designed and delivered a wealth of programmes to meet the unique demands and needs of specific sectors and communities of leaders, of note are our place-based leadership development programmes. Examples include: Hull & East Yorkshire, Wales and Leeds & Bradford. 

Website: cloresocialleadership.org.uk 

Rank Ripples – Spring 2024 Edition

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All about enterprise

This edition of Rank Ripples magazine is all about enterprise. Alongside your regular Fellowship update, it features articles from enterprising Network members and a special interview with our outgoing Chair Joey Newton. 

Elenid Roberts, Fiona Keir, James Beecher and Varsha Parmer share their Profit for Good stories, Fellows Mariama Techie-Afful, Mark Herbert and Neve Howells-Aitken also share their experience of enterprise, and Ripples editor Alan Qualtrough considers the positive effect the Rank Foundation has had on the social enterprise network and entrepreneurship in Plymouth. 

We hope you enjoy reading it!

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Learning Through Leadership Talk – April 2024

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Leadership in a Judicial setting with Sir James Dingemans (Class of 1980)

In this blog post, Geoffrey Pelham-Lane, our Fellow (Class of 1978), shares his thoughts on our recent Learning Through Leadership talk, “Leadership in a Judicial Setting,” featuring Sir James Dingemans (Class of 1980). The event took place on 17th April 2024 at The Rank Foundation’s offices in Shoreditch, London.

Sir James Dingemans giving the talk

Sir James Dingemans

If there is someone who has most successfully realised the leadership potential that the Rank Foundation looks for in each of its School Leadership Award holders it is the Court of Appeal judge, Lord Justice Dingemans.

The person from Rank who first recommended him for an award in 1980 demonstrated remarkable foresight. Sir James’ talk on Wednesday evening did everything to confirm this as well as highlighting the value that the Rank Foundation has added and continues to add through its great work in bringing out the very best in people and society.

His talk on “Leadership in a Judicial setting” was hugely engaging not just to our next generation of fellows pursuing or about to pursue a legal career but also to all of us who benefit either directly or indirectly from the UK having one of the most envied and fair legal systems in the world. This achievement has clearly been no accident, having been built and sustained by the professionalism, impartiality and, most importantly, leadership of our lawyers.

Sir James described how he had developed professionally since receiving Rank support in his last year at Radley, learning about leadership when he trained at Sandhurst on a short service commission and then about the law when he studied at Oxford University. What was striking about his talk was not just how he applied these skills successfully to lead and motivate over 800 judges, but just how applicable these skills are to leadership elsewhere.

He referred to ‘Transactional’ leaders that work within the establishment and ‘Transformational’ leaders that typically inspire us with a charismatic vision. He discussed other styles such as ‘Situational’ leadership where a true leader adapts to the specific demands of a situation. This, he felt, was most applicable to leadership in the judiciary.

He provided examples of why it is important as a leader to identify your goal but keep it simple, show that you are capable of doing the job of those that you are leading (it is a requirement that judges have to be practitioners unlike managers in the NHS), make sure you do the right thing (don’t simply lead to satisfy media coverage), ensure you stay calm, respect boundaries (such as the law), learn to handle pressure and recognise your team (‘walk the floor’ and say ‘thank you’).

He also mentioned how important diversity is to achieving the best results and how, while the judiciary has made some improvements, this will take time as judges can only come from practitioners entering the law at the beginning of their legal careers.

All in all, a great talk and one where everyone, not just budding lawyers, learnt something. Thank you, Sir James!

About the author:

Geoffrey Pelham-Lane, Fellow (Class of 1978), is one of the UK’s leading financial communications experts, with more than 35 years of experience in financial PR and investor relations. He is Chairman of APCO UK and Chief Executive Officer at Capital Market Communications Ltd (Camarco), an APCO Worldwide Company.

Rank Foundation Chair to Step Down

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Rank family member, Joey Newton, steps down and Will Wyatt will assume role of Chair 

The Rank Foundation has announced that Joey Newton will be stepping down as Chair this year. Current Rank Foundation trustee, Will Wyatt, will assume the role of Chair following the AGM on 4 June 2024.

Joey dedicated 32 years to the Foundation, 11 of those years as Chair. He presided over a period of great transformation and challenge, not least the Foundation’s responses to Covid19 and the current cost-of-living crisis.

Under Joey’s leadership, the Rank Foundation saw significant changes, including the creation of its thriving Network, that now numbers around 1,500 members – many of whom Joey has visited over the years.

Inspired by his grandfather’s life and values, Joey played a key part in developing strategies that successfully combine leadership and enterprise, creating a range of exciting, long term programmes across the UK.

 Image 1: Joey Newton (leftmost)

The new Chair, Will Wyatt, has been a Rank Foundation trustee for 9 years.  Currently both Vice Chair of the Foundation and Chair of the Investment Committee, Will is also a non-executive director of Caledonia Investments plc and the recent Chair of The Jockey Club’s Newmarket Racecourses.

Image 2: Will Wyatt

Joey Newton said:

“The Rank Foundation is a truly amazing charity and I feel so proud that it all came about through my grandfather, Lord Rank. I’m so fortunate to have played a small part in its remarkable journey. Over many years, the consistent message from the many charities we have supported, is that being funded by the Rank Foundation is like joining a family, and that, above all else, strongly resonates with me. 

I have met so many truly, special people doing incredible things, all of which fills me with great hope for the future. What a privilege this has been!”

David Sanderson, Rank Foundation’s CEO said:

“It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to Joey. I would like to thank Joey for his extraordinary contribution and leadership over many years and to wish him and his family well for the future.”