Development

Welcome to the PGS Development Office

AWARD-WINNING ALASDAIR’S NEW ROLE DEVELOPING DEVELOPMENT

Alasdair Akass has taken up the newly created post of Development Director and has thrown open the doors of his team’s offices at No 10 High Street. Formerly Head of Legacy Giving at The National Trust, he wants to discuss ideas for the way forward with as many people as possible and has issued an open invitation to drop in for a chat over a cup of tea or coffee.

Alasdair was this year’s winner of the Most Successful Charity Legacy Campaign at the Institute of Fundraising’s National Awards in July and was previously shortlisted as Professional Fundraiser of the Year.

“People are often dubious when you tell them you’re a professional fundraiser but the Development Team’s role is not about using Old Portmuthians, parents and supporters as a primary source of funding,” says Alasdair.

The team has the dual responsibilities of forging ongoing relationships with pupils past and present, parents and PGS followers and of fundraising to promote students’ education and advancement in life with bursaries and scholarships and through the school’s capital development programme. It also enhances PGS’ relationships for mutual benefits with its many and varied inter-connected communities.

Liz Preece and Sue Merton organise social events for parents, reunions for OPs, support the Careers Department and are responsible for school merchandise and fundraising.

“I wonder how many people know what a brilliant job they do – they are fantastic at re-connecting people and have built up so many contacts with OPs, parents and supporters. I am amazed to learn that in Australia, they have a huge network of former pupils who regularly meet up for lunches!”

Alasdair is fired with enthusiasm for his new role and says he sees it as an exciting combination of challenges; in particular the introduction of the IB which will open up European streams of funding and a big capital investment in science facilities to keep pace with PGS’ reputation as a leading light in science education. “The School has high ideals and huge ambition for the future. Such aspirations can carry a daunting price tag, but by supporting improvements to the fabric of our buildings, donors are investing in enhanced skills of pupils in science subjects that UK industry so desperately needs”.

“Development is so much more than just raising money. The interesting side is all about relationships, about mobilising people, about them opening up their address books, about providing a support network, about stewardship and cultivation, about handing the baton onto the next generation.

“Who better to give advice on what university or career to choose than former pupils with relevant experience, which is one of the reasons I’m keen to keep our recent leavers involved.”

“It’s also about relationship building with communities, about the school earning its keep and giving something back, making a difference on our own doorstep.”

The excitement of uniting and inspiring donors to support a common cause is a powerful motivator for Alasdair and was never better demonstrated than during one fundraising campaign to save historic Tyntesfield, a near-intact Victorian Gothic estate near Bristol for the nation, when he and his colleagues had just 56 days to raise more than £20million before it would be split up and sold in separate lots.

Successful fundraising often requires thinking outside the box and Alasdair believes that anything can be turned into proceeds in support the work of donors’ favourite charitable causes. Among the non-cash donations he has received are a stuffed parrot, collection of McDonalds Happy Meal toys and an antique car registration plate which fetched £ 77,000 on Ebay!

Born in Hampshire and educated in Petersfield, Alasdair read languages at Warwick University and it was while doing voluntary work at the Mission to Seamen in the south of France during his year abroad, he decided to shelve his plans to go into business and work for a charity instead.

He joined English Heritage and then the National Trust and is proud of the part he has played in helping permanently safeguard some of the country’s most beloved historic buildings and landscapes.

A frequent visitor to Portsmouth to see his sister Emma, he was intrigued by the school’s splendid historic arch and what lay beyond during a sightseeing tour of the city.

“Although I had the perfect job at the National Trust, I had been considering a move into the more people orientated field of educational fundraising when I saw the post for PGS Development Director advertised and knew I had to apply.

“When I went through that arch, my life changed for ever. I was knocked out by the enthusiasm, the vibrancy, the passion of the pupils and staff. The school speaks for itself. You can’t fake a happy ship and it was obvious everyone was so happy to be here. And so am I! You have to believe in the cause and I am bowled over by everything about PGS, from its academic excellence, its sporting prowess, the high standards of its science departments, its highly professional drama and music productions, the Festivities and its own very fine tradition of fundraising for others.”

Anyone wanting to discuss ideas with Alasdair is invited to pop in to No 10 High Street or call him or the Development Team on 02392 364248 or follow the links under Development on the school website.

The role of the Portsmouth Grammar School Development Office is to enhance every aspect of the School’s relationship with the many communities with which it interrelates in order to consolidate the School’s identity and enable all parties to work together for mutual benefit.

This is achieved through a range of activities which include...

Click Here for information on how to contact the Development Office

Aerial photo of PGS

Development Officer Liz Preece, Development Director Alasdair Akass and Development Office Administrator Sue Merton

Portsmouth Grammar School, High Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2LN

Tel: Senior School (023) 9236 0036Nursery & Junior School (023) 9236 4219