Revitalise Appoint New Director of Fundraising
Disabled holiday provider Revitalise appoint new Director of Fundraising
The UK’s largest provider of respite holidays for disabled people and carers are delighted to confirm the appointment of a new Director of Fundraising. Alex McDowell, who has spent the past five years working in Fundraising Leadership roles within The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), joins the charity as a key member of the Executive team, responsible for all fundraising and retail activity within the organisation.
It will be Alex’s responsibility to develop a new fundraising strategy, generating lasting relationships with key contacts, to support Revitalise’s ambitious new three-year plan. The charity aims to transform their reach, allowing more disabled people and carers in the country to access a break with Revitalise.
Respite breaks are incredibly important for the nation’s most vulnerable people, offering disabled people and their families a chance to reconnect whilst surrounded by expert care and allowing their carers a much-needed rest from their duties. Many of these family members provide care around the clock without any form of break.
Commenting on the new appointment, CEO Jan Tregelles said: “We are truly delighted to be welcoming Alex to Revitalise at such a pivotal moment in our charity’s expansion. His experience in fundraising will be vital as we increase our reach and impact across the UK. Welcome, Alex.
Of his new role, Alex McDowell said: “Joining a charity whose objective is as impactful and important as Revitalise’s, is a privilege. Their reputation as leaders of the premium respite holiday market proceeds them, and I look forward to lending my fundraising and leadership experience to help the team deliver on their ambitious objectives and enable more people to access Revitalise’s invaluable offer and expertise.”
Most recently, Alex has been serving as RNIB’s Acting Director of Fundraising. Previously, Alex led RNIB’s Public Fundraising department, responsible for the vast majority of their voluntary income and more than half of their annual income. In this role, he was instrumental in the design of the fundraising strategy and the transformation of their fundraising programme, accountable for the successful delivery of c£60m gross annual income, which has been pivotal to RNIB’s short-term delivery objectives and long-term strategy and vision.
Alongside his role at RNIB, Alex has also served as Chair of the Remember A Charity Campaign, helping to shape and oversee a refreshed strategy and revise the campaign’s membership structure. This resulted in record campaign membership levels and significant strides towards making legacy giving a social norm. He also served as Head of Legacy and Tribute Fundraising at NSPCC and Head of Fundraising at the Shakespeare Hospice.
For 57 years, Revitalise has been providing respite breaks, holidays and experiences for disabled people and carers at three UK based holiday centres. They offer quality hospitality in fully accessible surroundings, which means guests can look forward to full board dining, live evening entertainment, daytime activities, places to visit nearby and personalised care support.