Winner of Ballymore A&B Business Volunteer of the Year Award 2008
The opportunity
Appointed to the board of No Fit State Circus under our Board Bank programme, Paul Ralley played a vital role in transforming the failing circus from near bankruptcy into the UK’s leading contemporary circus company with an international reputation. Using his business acumen and experience, Paul set in place a framework that facilitated the fast-growing arts organisation, giving it a new lease of life.
For Paul working with No Fit State provided an opportunity to gain experience of performance management of executive directors, negotiation skills and marketing.
The impact
The 180 hours of Paul’s business experience and advice given over a two-year period were crucial to rescuing the organisation. The introduction of new financial systems enabled the circus to double its turnover within 18 months. No Fit State now possesses the financial and business skills to match its creative vision and talent.
Through his Board Bank placement, Paul learned to negotiate and prioritise more effectively and he gained a valuable insight into the internal dynamics of an arts organisation, an understanding of public funding, cultural and education policies, charity law and the workings of the Welsh Assembly Government.