Member Article

Azure planning to expand its service offering after CEO appointment

Azure Charitable Enterprises, with the help of chartered accountancy and business advisory firm UNW, has appointed Peter Wilson as its new CEO as part of plans to expand its service offering and implement a new long-term strategy.

The Northumberland-based organisation, which works with disabled and disadvantaged people to maximise their quality of life and personal development, appointed Peter at the beginning of the Summer with the aim of developing the charity’s capability and capacity to respond to the needs of the care sector community.

As well as providing supported housing, supported employment, education and training, community integration and counselling services, Azure also runs several charitable businesses throughout the region, including a garden centre in Cramlington, managed work-space in Newburn and further landscaping, design and print businesses.

Peter, who has a long history acting as a Trustee on the Boards at not-for-profit organisations including The High Tide Foundation on Teesside, joined Azure from Middlesbrough College, where he spent 6 years as Managing Director being responsible for business development and employer engagement.

UNW’s Strategic Talent team, a niche service that recruits board-level and senior finance professionals for various organisations to support and drive business growth, supported Azure throughout the hiring process.

Peter Wilson, CEO at Azure, said: “The ever-increasing challenge to provide ‘more for less’ is currently one of the biggest demands placed upon those in the charity sector. Arriving as CEO, I’m very clear that I am not only responsible for developing but, more importantly, delivering a strategy with the Board to ensure we can continue to maximise our resources long-term. To this end, we will find ourselves working in new ways with commissioning and partner organisations to deliver services and create more opportunities to improve the quality of life of the people we serve.

“Since joining Azure, I’ve been struck by the enthusiasm, imagination and determination of the staff here to make a real difference and I am extremely proud to continue to provide a platform to transform the lives of the people we serve.” Peter was introduced to the Azure board by UNW’s Head of Strategic Talent Peter Neal and emphasises the importance of UNW’s dedication to ensure the potential working relationship would be a fruitful one.

Peter Wilson continued; “UNW’s Strategic Talent team were extremely supportive and diligent, keeping me fully informed throughout the process. From the first meeting with UNW, I knew instinctively that Azure was where I wanted to be, and Peter Neal was instrumental in facilitating honest open discussions between the Board and myself regarding our mutual aspirations and vision going forward.”

Peter Neal, Head of Strategic Talent at UNW, said; “Our expansive networks, in addition to easy access to business and accountancy specialists at UNW, means we understand the needs of the client to find them the best fit for their culture.

“From the initial conversations, I felt that Peter and Azure were the right fit for their mutual aspirations and I was delighted when he was appointed by the Board. We wish them every success in their future endeavours as Azure continues its vital work in the local community.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Turnbull .