A day in the life…

Jan Glover’s role involves implementing a strategic plan to raise funds for her school. Katie Cardona takes a look at her diary for insight into a typical day in the routine of Abingdon School’s development director

Early start: too much to do and too little time. Still dark when I get to the office, but it’s quiet and email beckons: the usual – everything from Viagra to local councillors saying how much they’d love to come to the Christmas Concert or not.

Check in-tray. Again, the usual: from invoices to be signed to fliers exhorting me to attend professional development events. A nice surprise included, though: a note telling me that the widow of one of the school’s former cricket coaches has sent me some sweet pea plants. She’s always telling me to plant seeds in November and I keep forgetting. An immediate handwritten thank-you note is penned.

It’s light now and my first meeting looms. Thirty minutes with the new head, who has an amazing vision and a wonderfully positive direction for the future. The only snag is that I have to raise the money to help make this happen... so much for the quiet phase of fundraising we’ve just begun.

On the move
Walk back from my meeting via the common room to catch up on what’s happening in school. The archivist urges me to consider plans for 2013, the 450th anniversary of the refounding of the school. Get caught ‘twixt common room and my office by the second master. The director of rugby needs to see me about raising funds for a South Africa tour.

Back to the office to answer the 30 emails that have miraculously appeared before reading the brief for this evening’s event. Then, a few quick words with my two assistants, so I can get off to my meetings in London.

Decide that car to Euston (conveniently out of the congestion charge zone) is the answer. Pick up the papers I need and dash. A few minutes into the journey, I realise my earlier meeting with the head will necessitate a change of emphasis in the annual fund brochure which is at the designers. Stop and dial their number. Talk through proposed changes and promise I will send revised copy first thing in the morning. Start thinking about the 450th celebrations: can we tie them into our fundraising campaign or is the timing wrong? Hit voice notes on the iPhone and drone my ideas into it.

Phone rings: the chairman of the parents’ association needs to talk about their fundraising. Phone rings again: the office tells me a key wealth prospect has sent his first modest donation and has accepted an invitation to our annual dinner – success!

Quick, quick, slow
Traffic’s good but underground delays mean I just get to my meeting on time. A senior alumnus needs help with his speech for the annual dinner and he’s keen to start a bursary funding programme; offers to help me find 30 people to contribute £500 a year. It won’t be easy, but his enthusiasm is heartwarming.

Set off for a City dinner at Glaziers’ Hall. Everyone from sixth-formers to senior City bankers – parents and alumni – are all gathered to network. Guest of honour is Angela Knight of the British Bankers’ Association, who rouses everyone with a speech full of humour and insight.

I dine between two charming gentlemen. One assures me he will persuade his employers to support the school financially when times are better. As the evening rolls on, other experienced City hands share their wisdom with the younger generation.

Send my staff off to catch the last train. I stay chatting and end up doing the bottle count before gratefully accepting a lift in a taxi back to Euston. Home by 12.30am.

A good day
So, one welcome donation today, some promise shown, a couple of good contacts made and a few ideas on how to take things forward. And, as ever, the variety and challenge that makes tomorrow exciting.

Jan Glover is development director of Abingdon School. Katie Cardona is an enterprise consultant.

Return to Development