# NCVO and Volunteering England in merger discussions

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2012/06/22/ncvo-and-volunteering-england-merger-discussions/
- Published: 2012-06-22T13:17:07+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The NCVO and Volunteering England are in discussions over a possible merger from
2013.

The Boards of both organisations have agreed the recommendations of a joint working
party to have formal merger discussions over the summer and autumn this year. The
working party concluded there was “a very strong case for full merger” and that “
the closely aligned visions of both organisations could be better fulfilled by coming
together”. A merger would make both organisations more efficient and sustainable,
but the new organisation “will enhance the work of both agencies and help deliver
on a new vision for volunteering and voluntary action”.

The new organisation will keep the NCVO tag and will retain the Volunteering England
and Institute for Volunteering Research brands.

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Formal discussions will now focus on detailed planning on organisations structure
and staffing and membership services.

Chair of NCVO Trustees, Martyn Lewis CBE said: “We have encouraged the sector to
consider mergers and collaboration and we are practising what we preach. By joining
forces we will create a stronger voice and better support for voluntary organisations
and volunteering.”

Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO said: “This merger builds on years
of close co-operation between NCVO and Volunteering England. We have a shared vision
of how volunteering and voluntary organisations are at the heart of civil society.
By pooling our skills and experience we will create a stronger champion for voluntary
action.

Both organisations have suffered funding cuts in the recent past and have also announced
plans to cut staffing levels. They are both already based in the same building in
Regent’s Wharf in North London.

NCVO is already the largest voluntary sector umbrella body and last year took over
the resource base KnowHow NonProfit from City University as well as merging with
the Third Sector European Network (TSEN).

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