SCDF restructures to cope with cutbacks

As part of the move, Peter Spence (pictured), director of the SCDF, is to scale back his full-time working hours by half to enable the organisation to bring in freelance support.

Spence says the move has come about due to the reduction in funding to the SCDF coming from universities, who have had much of their own central Government funding cut. Spence says, ’They just can’t provide funding to us in the way they used to – their first concern is to protect jobs.’

He says this reduction in cashflow started to happen last year, adding, ’We’ve accepted that and now we have to do something about it.’

The SCDF will now aim to bring in cash through its website and newsletter, says Spence, as well as aiming to get speaking engagements for higher-profile members such as SCDF chairman Wayne Hemingway.

Spence adds, ’It has occurred to me over the past six to nine months that what we need to do is not what I’m strong at. I’m good at going out in the region and engaging with consultancies and universities. What’s needed now is more strategic marketing, public relations, events and looking to develop the membership.’

He says the new structure will allow the SCDF to bring in freelances to deliver these services.

The SCDF is also looking to move into office premises in Chichester, to allow freelances to have a work base. Operations are currently run from Spence’s house.