UK’s Ceri Edwards appointed EFA president

Ceri Edwards, executive director of change at the UK’s Chartered Institute of Fundraising, has been appointed as EFA president at today’s Annual General Assembly in Zurich (26 September).

Edwards replaces Charlotte Rydh, who steps down at the completion of her term. He initially takes the role for one year as EFA enters into the next stage of its development, which includes the appointment of its first executive director to support the voluntary board – also announced today.

Nominated for his long-term experience of EFA, Edwards has been a member of the leadership team since 2012, and was previously vice president of EFA from 2020-2022, and a member of the board for 6 years. Over the last year, he has also worked with the EFA board on the scoping and recruitment of the executive director role.

Edwards will be instrumental in ensuring a smooth introduction of new ways of working within EFA’s structure.

Outgoing president Rydh said:

“As I step down after an incredible six years on the EFA board, three of which as president, I’m delighted to hand over the reins to Ceri. I can’t think of anyone better to oversee this next year of EFA’s transformation into an even stronger and more relevant voice for Europe’s fundraising community.”

A former BBC political producer, Edwards started his campaigning career with human rights group Liberty. He has also worked for the Citizenship Foundation, Action for Children and the BBC Children in Need appeal. He has held senior communication and policy roles at London Councils, the Local Government Association and the People’s Health Trust. In addition, he has been a volunteer and trustee at Switchboard LGBT, Survivors UK, Empty Homes Agency and AvMA, the charity for patient safety and justice, and is currently a trustee of the National AIDS Trust and AIDS Memory UK.

New president Ceri Edwards commented:

“This is an exciting time for EFA, and I’m delighted to be taking up the role of President as we move into this new era. Advancing professionalism in fundraising is an ever more important focus for our members, who are responding to their own members’ needs for training that tracks the changes and trends in fundraising and giving. A key focus for EFA moving forward will be on developing our support to help them provide that, and be strong advocates for the sector across their countries, just as we’ll be enhancing EFA’s own advocacy across Europe.

“Working alongside Eva, our new executive director, I’m looking forward to helping reshape EFA over the coming year. We will start by listening to our members to explore how we can all work together to make the most of what has always been a creative and ambitious network of national fundraising associations.”

EFA Board. L-R: Paul Laird, Laurence Lepetit, Pia Tornikoski, Scott Kelley, Ceri Edwards, Paul Dalby, Ruth Williams, Larissa Probst

In addition to the change in presidency, Siri Nodland from Fundraising Norge steps down, while Pia Tornikoski, Secretary General for the Finnish Fundraising Association (VaLa) and Ruth Williams, CEO at Fundraising Verband Austria, are appointed to the board. Scott Kelley and Larissa Probst have been re-elected.