ANDREW H. SMITH, FINSTF

Chairman

Andrew Smith has an intimate knowledge of both non-profit and commercial organizations. His experience in both sectors over the past 20 years ideally positions him to appreciate the strengths and challenges of both, resulting in a blend of benefits, which work to the advantage of either discipline.

For ten years, Andrew was the Divisional Appeals Director for one of the UK’s largest children’s charities, managing a staff of 150 and charitable income of ₤7 million. During his years with the organization he placed great emphasis on ACTION-CENTERED LEADERSHIP, a management principle based on teams and developing individuals.

Andrew’s experience includes working with organizations for underprivileged children, people with AIDS, environmental bodies, an educational establishment for the hearing impaired and a design college run by Her Grace the Duchess of Westminster. An accomplished speaker on the subject of fundraising technique, Andrew has been actively involved in various conferences, namely the International Fundraisers’ Conference and various “in-house” seminars and workshops for organizations ranging from a local Hospice to the British Red Cross and the National Trust. He has also facilitated senior management groups as part of the decision making process of organizations.

In addition to his responsibilities as Chair of Smith Beers Yunker, Andrew heads an unrelated commercial business and currently serves as the volunteer Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Jubilee Action, a charity promoting Human Rights and particularly children’s rights throughout the world. Andrew is a Lay Reader in the Church of England and chairman of an independent private hospital.

A past chairman of the Regional Group of the Institute of Fundraising, Andrew is a Fellow of the Institute, an honor bestowed upon only 28 people in the United Kingdom.