The Charity CEO Podcast Ep 52. Kathy Evans and Rosie Ferguson, former CEOs of Children England and House of St Barnabas: A conversation on charity closure and lasting impact
Mar 3, 2025
Kathy Evans, former CEO of Children England, and Rosie Ferguson, ex-CEO of House of St Barnabas, candidly discuss the complexities of charity closure. They explore whether ending an organization signifies failure or can reflect strategic decision-making. The conversation highlights the importance of sustainability and lessons from their respective closures, emphasizing that impact can endure beyond the organization. They also delve into the emotional toll on teams and the significance of legacy in maintaining social contributions.
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Infrastructure Influence Over Direct Delivery
- Children England was an infrastructure body influencing policy rather than delivering frontline services.
- Its value was measured by shaping debates and commissioning culture, not direct service metrics.
Club Model That Subsidised Charity
- Rosie describes House of St Barnabas as a social enterprise private members club subsidising a homelessness charity.
- The model worked pre-pandemic but was fragile and hit hard by COVID and subsequent shocks.
Set And Revisit Financial Trigger Points
- Identify trigger points and revisit them frequently as context changes rapidly.
- Use trigger points to guide board decisions about closure or major operational shifts.