Queens University Belfast (QUB) engaged Halpin at a crucial stage, following significant changes in the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) and more widely. With new and ambitious appointments to Vice-Chancellor and Director of Development roles, the focus was on delivery of a strategy to increase annual fundraising income from £5m to £10m per annum.
Originally brought in with specific goals during the maternity leave of the Head of Major Gifts, the remit for Halpin quickly changed when the Assistant Director of Fundraising unexpectedly went on extended sick leave. Goals around establishing robust, consistent practices and systems, effective management of prospect lists and developing an ambitious and positive, performance-focused culture merged into an interim role, with line management of four members of staff and support with prospect work for two others added to the mix.
One month into this support package, Coronavirus arrived. What had been delivered through a mix of onsite and remote support could only be delivered remotely and the focus of the entire team needed to shift.
In this situation the flexibility, solid experience and strong technical knowhow of the Halpin team proved invaluable to QUB’s Director of Development and the team.