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Having realised early that his job was to support the experts rather than direct strategy, as he had done for more than a decade at the highest political level, Fergus Finlay is clearly relishing his prominent role in Ireland’s charitable sector, writes
PAUL GOLDEN.
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FERGUS FINLAY has been Chief Executive of children’s charity, Barnardos, for the last five years. But despite his extensive experience of public life, he admits that when he started he had no idea what was involved in being CEO of a charitable organisation. “I envisaged I would be directing strategy, but I realised that supporting the work of experts was the best way forward.” The nature of their relationship with the
Fergus Finlay, CEO of Barnardos.
MAkinG A
diFFEREnCE
78 InBusiness May 10
organisation makes those who work for Barnardos more akin to family than employees and Finlay quickly identified that like any family, they can be both generous and demanding. “I work in an organisation with the most committed people I have ever met, who expect their chief executive to be just as committed. Like politics it is a seven days a week job, but there is a different rhythm – now I relish the work even though I put in considerable hours (about 80 a week).” When asked whether he was satisfied with the progress made since he joined Barnardos, Finlay points out that the organisation is bigger than it was five years ago. “We are in a difficult funding situation and I want to deal with that in a way that keeps the quality of work and every individual project intact. Squaring that circle when you don’t have enough money can be frustrating.” The next step is to work with more children and families – its CEO explains that last year the figure was 5,000 and the target is to double that number, although even then he won’t be content.
Finlay is also Chair of Volunteering Ireland, of which Barnardos is a member. “I got involved in disability groups initially because we had a disability in the family. I volunteer on the basis that I like to get stuck into things I enjoy doing and where I can make a difference.”
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