National homelessness charity Crisis has today announced Tamsin
Baxter as their Director of Brand, Marketing and Fundraising to
lead on the organisation's work raising vital awareness and funds
for people experiencing homelessness.
Tamsin Baxter brings over 20 years of experience
in fundraising and marketing to the role, including senior
positions at Refugee Council, Scope and Fight for Sight. Her
expertise spans major fundraising appeals, transformational
partnerships and re-branding programmes, which includes Refugee
Council's first major rebrand in three decades. Alongside this,
Tamsin is an established communications specialist having led
media, public affairs, campaigns and internal communications
teams.
Tamsin Baxter, Executive Director of Brand, Marketing and
Fundraising at Crisis, said: "I'm excited to be
joining Crisis at such a pivotal moment for the organisation.
With more and more people facing homelessness, the charity has a
vital role to play in tackling the issue across the country. I
look forward to working with the brilliant Brand, Marketing and
Fundraising teams to build on their successes and mobilise public
support to help more people find a safe place to call home.”
In addition, the charity has also appointed two new trustees who
will be supporting Crisis' mission to end homelessness with their
extensive experiences in charity fundraising.
Kirsty MacDonald has held senior positions in
leading educational and cultural institutions in both the UK and
Canada for over thirty years. Since 2016, Kirsty has been Deputy
Principal at the Royal Academy of Music and was awarded a Hon
FRAM in 2022 for her achievements. As a member of their senior
management team, she leads on strategic planning and is
responsible for external relations including fundraising,
marketing and audience engagement. Kirsty also devised and
launched the largest fundraising campaign for a music college
outside the US with a target of £100m. She is also a trustee for
the Maple Leaf Trust and YCAT (Young Classical Artists Trust).
Kirsty MacDonald said: “It's a privilege to
become a Trustee of Crisis. I am looking forward to working
with the executive team and fellow trustees to strengthen
partnerships with funders and build relationships with
philanthropists. Homelessness can and should be ended, but only
with the help of dedicated supporters who want to make a
difference. I believe in Crisis and care deeply about its mission
and the people it serves.”
Jan Oldfield brings a wealth of charitable
experience to the board. Passionate about the role of both
communities and individuals in challenging injustice and driving
lasting change, Jan has led supporter engagement efforts for
charities including Save the Children International, Greenpeace
International and Oxfam GB. Most recently, she also joined
Amnesty International UK as their Director of Mass Market
Fundraising.
Jan Oldfield said: “I'm pleased to be
stepping into this role as one of Crisis' trustees. Having worked
with a range of charities, I've seen the power of effective
leadership and clear purpose in driving meaningful change. I look
forward to bringing that experience to support Crisis in its
mission to end homelessness.”
These three appointments will help guide and support Crisis at a
time when homelessness continues to rise across the country.
Recent research from the charity shows that more than 300,000
families and individuals across Britain are experiencing the
worst forms of homelessness, including rough sleeping,
sofa-surfing, and stuck in unsuitable temporary accommodation
like nightly paid B&Bs.
Tristia Harrison, Chair of Trustees at Crisis,
said: “It's wonderful to have Tamsin, Kirsty and Jan
join Crisis at such a key moment for the organisation. Their
diverse experiences will help strengthen and guide the charity in
supporting more people experiencing the trauma and indignity of
homelessness. This is a pivotal time for the charity and I look
forward to working with them to help end homelessness for
good.”
Matt Downie, Chief Executive at Crisis, said:
“I'm delighted to welcome Tamsin, Kirsty and Jan to Crisis.
With homelessness at record levels across the country as rising
living costs push more people to the brink, this is a critical
time for our organisation. Together, their experience and insight
will strengthen our work, helping us raise awareness and vital
funds so we can continue to support people to find and keep a
safe place to call home and campaign for the changes to end it
for good.”
