UK: Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive, NCVO

Stuart Etherington has been the chief executive of NCVO (The National Council for Voluntary Organisations) since 1994. NCVO is the largest umbrella body for the voluntary sector in the UK with more than 5,450 members in England and with sister councils in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

NCVO represents about 13 million volunteers, which is around 50% of all volunteers in the UK. The organisation exists to act as a voice for the sector and supports its members. It also aims to create a positive environment in which voluntary organisations can flourish and improve.

Stuart Etherington has been working in the UK voluntary sector for over 25 years.

What are your experiences in the third sector?
Prior to joining NCVO as Chief Executive, I was Chief Executive of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) – a major UK charity. I have gained experience in areas such as policy and research before moving onto a senior appointment at the mental health charity Good Practices in Mental Health, followed by my move to RNID as Director of Public Affairs and then Chief Executive.

How and why did you become interested in the third sector?
I first became interested in the voluntary sector through an interest in mental health. Once I got started, I realised the amazing work that is carried out by the voluntary sector, which makes a real difference to people's lives. I haven't looked back since.
The thing that has most struck me throughout my time working in the voluntary sector, is the essential role that civil society plays in creating healthy nations. Civil society is there for people when the public and private sectors are not, and so, we play a unique role in serving people's needs and making their voice heard.

Do you think there are many opportunities for the third sector and private sector to work in partnership?
There are numerous opportunities for the voluntary sector and private sector to work in partnership, from donations and sponsorship to volunteering programmes and contracting. To avoid failure both parties have to be clear about what they want to achieve, the resource implications, and put in place written agreements. It sounds simple, but often these things get lost in the negotiations and later on partnerships can turn sour. Additionally, one of the strongest assets voluntary organisations bring to any partnership is their brand; this can help level the power-relationship. Importantly, in developing any partnership an organisation?s brand must be protected at all times.

What relationship does your organisation have with third sector organisations in other European countries?
NCVO has strong relationships with membership groups in other countries. We are also hoping to build a European level coordinating body, which will seek to represent the interests of national member organisations in all EU states, coordinate campaigns and to guarantee effective policy outcomes for those organisations and countries.

What can Europe learn from the UK?s third sector?
The UK voluntary sector is one of the most established in the world. We have a strong reputation for infrastructure. The importance of philanthropy is entrenched in our society, as is the tradition of independent action by citizens.

What are, in your opinion, the strength points and weaknesses in the European third sector today?
The lack of a cohesive legal framework for trans-national working presents a significant challenge. For many years, there have also been few opportunities for citizens to engage with the European institutions. However this is now changing, with the creation of citizen networks and direct engagement in setting priorities. Projects such as Plan D for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate and the upcoming Citizens? Agora in Brussels reflect a change in the European Parliament and European Commission to open the institutions to more transparent and accountable decision-making.

What advice would you give to a young person embarking on a career in the third sector?
My advice would be to first get to know what the sector is all about, by volunteering or doing an internship. Once you know that it's the career for you, I would say, be bold, take risks, be passionate about what you do and bear in mind that the rewards, though plentiful, may not be of a monetary nature.

www.ncvo-vol.org.uk