Shaw Trust and Careers Development Group confirm merger
The employment services charities Shaw Trust and Careers Development Group (CDG) are to merge and form a new organisation.
The announcement comes after a thorough due diligence process confirmed a merger would be positive for the people both charities serve. It would strengthen the ability of staff to deliver learning and skills, training and job opportunities to get people into or back to work and live more independent lives. Currently, Shaw Trust and CDG offer different services in different parts of the country and bring complementary strengths and expertise.
John Briffitt, chairman of Shaw Trust, said: “The process we’ve been through has highlighted the benefits in blending the strengths of both charities, better serving those who are not working, including those with disabilities and those at disadvantage within society. Over a combined sixty years of service, both charities have helped thousands of people to build confidence, motivation and the skills to find and sustain work. While this is the beginning of a new chapter, this core principle will not change.”
Roy O’Shaughnessy, chief executive designate, said: “The opportunity to create a new charity that aims to sweep away the barriers faced by those who cannot find work is our challenge. In succeeding, we will have changed lives, families and communities. By combining the heart, skill and dedication of those working at both charities with the need to meet future challenges in delivering services, we will be better together than apart.”
Both organisations will now work towards securing clearance and finalising the legalities of the merger. It is anticipated that this process will be complete by the end of 2012.
Ends
Notes to editors
· The decision to merge Shaw Trust and CDG follows a thorough due diligence exercise conducted by KPMG.
· In the short term, CDG will merge into Shaw Trust but maintain its current identity. However, this serves as a stepping stone to creating a new, transformed and innovative organisation.
· Over the next few months as the two organisations come together, the strategy and operational detail will be finalised enabling the new charity to build upon the successes of both CDG and Shaw Trust.
· The shadow board of trustees, led by Shaw Trust chairman, John Briffitt, has agreed that the chief executive designate will be Roy O’Shaughnessy, current chief executive of Careers Development Group. Chris Melvin, will continue in his role as interim chief executive of Shaw Trust.
Further information about Shaw Trust and Careers Development Group
Shaw Trust (www.shaw-trust.org.uk) started in the village of Shaw in Wiltshire. It was set up originally by five local people to help a small group of individuals achieve their employment aims. All were disabled, but each one had valuable skills and abilities. It became a registered charity in 1982.
Careers Development Group (www.cdguk.org) started in Wandsworth, London. The organisation was founded by several members of Wandsworth Council to specifically work with those who had been unemployed for a significant period of time. It became a registered charity in 1982.
In terms of overall size, the income for Shaw Trust in the last financial year was in the region of £86m, and £24m at CDG. Between them the charities employ around 1,350 staff (Shaw Trust 1,000 and CDG 350).
Shaw Trust is the main provider of Work Choice, delivering employment services to support disabled and disadvantaged people into work and more independent lives. Shaw Trust is also a subcontractor delivering Work Programme in three areas.
With over 50 charity shops, 14 social enterprises and commissioned projects and contracts supporting clients across the country funded by local government and the Big Lottery Fund, Shaw Trust supports over 15,000 people every year. It operates in partnership with Intergracja in Poland and Motivation in Romania, and merged with Interwork in Australia in 2009.
CDG has a thirty-year track record of supporting people in London and the south east overcome barriers relating to long term unemployment. It supported 31,000 people on their journey into work during 2011/12.
CDG is currently delivering the Work Programme as a prime provider in one area (London East) and also delivers as part of an alliance with MAXIMUS in two other areas and works with Avanta in another.
CDG and WISE Ability jointly own CDG – WISE Ability, which is the prime Work Choice provider in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and CDG itself is a subcontractor. It has an international presence through its partnership with BEST Community Development in Australia.
Contacts for further information:
Careers Development Group Shaw Trust
For further information, contact For further information, contact
Mark Brooks, Head of Communications
