Amanda Butcher, Chief Executive of the Hampshire based Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) has been selected as a finalist for the ‘Chief Executive of the Year Award’ at the Wessex Charity Awards which will be held at the Rose Bowl on the 26th February 2009.
The Wessex Charity Awards are a new initiative to honour the work undertaken by the charity sector in the Wessex region.
The JST is a registered charity that owns and operates Lord Nelson and Tenacious, the only two tall ships in the world to be designed and built with the purpose of enabling people of all physical abilities to sail side-by-side on equal terms.
Selected by the judging panel from some stiff competition, Amanda, who came to the JST five years ago was described in her nomination as an individual who has ‘not only overcome many financial challenges, but has also used her significant leadership skills to move the organisation forward.’
Activities such as rebranding marketing materials to reflect the engaging and lively face of the organisation, a new programme for corporate sponsorship, and being the public face of the JST at high-profile events have all helped to rejuvenate the organisation.
Amanda who manages an office team of 21 and two ships crew’s totalling staff of nearly 50 people, still manages to operate a welcoming open door approach in the office and spends as much time on the ships as she can.
Her ability to coordinate the needs of both land and sea based elements of the charity; more specifically balancing the average annual £2.7 million cost associated with running the two ships as well as an office are a tribute to her success.
Achieving this success on the budget of a medium sized charity are as much reliant on her strong communication skills as they are on her cool level headed approach. Her skill and professionalism has been recognised by the Association of Sail Training Organisations who elected her to be chair of the ASTO Peer Group in 2007.
She is viewed as an extremely caring and compassionate leader at the helm of an organisation that quite literally changes lives. The judges were very impressed by her creative approach to management challenges, as well as the confidence she clearly inspires in her team.
The Awards will be presented at a gala dinner at The Rose Bowl on 26 February 2009. For more information email info@jst.org.uk For more information on the Wessex Charity Awards please visit the Wessex Charity Awards Website