Frank

Frank is a Cranfield Trust volunteer based in Wales. Since joining in 2019, Frank has been involved in a number of consultancy and on-call projects.

Frank's areas of key experience include:

• Financial Governance
• Annual Accounts
• Financial Planning

Now retired, sharing good practice acquired over twenty years mostly as a Trustee Treasurer and charity independent examiner – signified by holding the Diploma in Charity Accounting from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.

Frank’s expertise in financial planning, processes, and management has meant he can provide specific finance advice to a number of small charities through Cranfield Trust’s on-call service which provides pro-bono telephone support to charities with immediate and specific challenges or questions.

An example of Frank’s on-call facilitation included telephone advice provided to a small charity in Wales that aims to reduce the effects of poverty by supporting children, youths and adult groups within the community. 

When the charity submitted an on-call enquiry, they were in search of guidance on budgeting. As part of the service, Frank gathered information on the charity’s financial figures and guided the charity in the compilation of their financial budgets in preparation for trustee approval.  Frank made the charity aware of governance issues that they could expect to arise in the future and provided appropriate reference sources.

Following the telephone and video call discussions, the charity was able to take away clear actions and advice to carry things forward. 

Q&A with Frank: 

What inspired you to volunteer for Cranfield Trust? 

Knowing that small charities often do not have the resources to access specialist advice vital to effective management, I was looking for a volunteering opportunity in retirement to channel my skills.

What do you enjoy the most about volunteering? 

Knowing that I have made, and can make, a difference.

What would you say are the main benefits of volunteering? 

In retirement, continuing to do something positive that benefits society.

What skills do you feel you have gained through volunteering with Cranfield Trust? 

At my stage in life, keeping my existing skills current.

How would you describe your volunteer experience with Cranfield Trust? 

Rewarding and satisfying.

above: feedback received from a charity client for Frank