Whatever work I undertake, my priorities are that the organisation I am working for understands the information I provide and is able to use it effectively to help support planning and decision-making.  Much of my work involves developing business plans and investment proposals with organisations.  My approach is facilitating them to produce the plans, ensuring that they fully own them, that the principles and assumptions underpinning them are theirs, and that they fully appreciate the risks and other implications of implementing them. 

Working with funders and social investors

I have spent several years working for funders and managing funding / investment processes, and am regularly asked by funders and social investors to review funding proposals and/or work with organisations to strengthen their plans and/or organisational capacity.  This has given me a keen insight into the funder’s perspective, which is invaluable in supporting organisations to develop credible business plans and proposals for funding or investment.


Voluntary and community sector consultancy and support for social enterprise

 

ABout us...

Margaret Wightman is a highly skilled professional with over 30 years’ experience of working in a variety of Third Sector and public sector settings.  I have worked as a senior manager within the sector (as Chief Executive of Voluntary Organisations’ Network NE (VONNE)), and within funding and support organisations (as Investment Team Manager at Futurebuilders England, and Business Support Advisor at The Social Investment Business.) 


Having trained as an accountant with the National Audit Office, I now specialise in providing financial and business planning consultancy, training and support to voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises, as well as appraising proposals on behalf of funders and social investors.


Associates
While some of my work is carried out alone, I am also able to draw on the knowledge and expertise of a wide range of associates who bring expertise in a wide range of complementary areas including strategic development, social investment models, housing, health, and outcomes measurement.

Recent clients include:


  • Sir James Knott Trust - a grant-making charity
  • Stramash - a social enterprise providing nursery care across the West Coast of Scotland
  • Blyth Valley Enterprise Ltd - an enterprise development agency based in Blyth
  • Disability North - a charity support people with disabilities across the NE region
  • The Grange Centre - a charity providing support to older people in Newcastle
  • Acorns - a charity providing therapeutic support to children and families affected by domestic abuse
  • New Writing North - the writing development agency for the North of England
  • If U Care Share - a charity which supports those affected by suicide or thoughts of suicide
  • Big River Bakery - a chain of community-based bakeries providing services and training to local communities
  • The Angelou Centre - a charity which provides a range of holistic services to black and minoritised women across the NE
  • The Junction - a service for children, young people and families in the Teesside area
  • Bluecoat - a contemporary arts centre in Liverpool