Glasgow Caledonian University

Over the years that we have worked with GCU, we have played the role of critical friend, providing valuable insights and recommendations throughout. There have been various strands of work conducted, all of which are building a stronger, better equipped team of professionals.  

1. Targeted coaching and mentoring

C&C provided tailored one-to-one coaching for staff across all levels, helping team members develop: 

• Confidence in donor conversations 

• Leadership skills 

• Practical problem-solving approaches in working with donors and leadership 

• Skills to manage growing portfolios  

This piece of work included individual support for the Director of Advancement and Communications and senior team members, enabling them to navigate complex planning decisions and strengthen their internal leadership capacity. 

2. Strategic planning support

Over a period of a few months, C&C worked closely with senior leaders in Development with their team planning, which included:  

• A review and refinement of existing operational plans 

• Recommendations on what to adjust, evolve or prioritise 

• Supporting the development of plans for the GCU Foundation 

• Facilitating a structured planning session, ensuring alignment and clarity within the senior team 

This helped the team establish a more robust pathway for growth while building a stronger culture of philanthropy internally. 

3. Deep-dive functional reviews

C&C conducted focused workshops with each functional area (events, alumni, major gifts and annual giving), to: 

• Review existing work and identify gaps and opportunities 

• Provide targeted recommendations 

• Strengthen internal processes and collaboration 

• Share insight from sector trends across these areas to help GCU understand its strategic position and opportunities for differentiation and improvement 

These sessions helped the team refine their operational approach and improve effectiveness at every level. 

4. Anniversary campaign preparation

Our most recent piece of work with GCU has focused on preparing the team for a major anniversary campaign. This included: 

• A whole team session on shaping campaign asks covering:

• Alignment on goals with the 150th Anniversary Campaign 

• Strengthening team dynamics 

• Clarifying roles and responsibilities 

• Creating shared ownership of priorities 

• Planning for the flagship campaign event:

• Making the most out of the event 

• Having good conversations 

• Effective follow up 

• Practical guidance on leveraging the event as a slingshot for future fundraising activity

Alongside team sessions, we also provided one-to-one coaching to equip individuals with the skills, confidence and tailored strategies needed to excel in their roles and maximise the impact of the campaign. 

The resulting campaign launch event was a significant success, opening the door to new donor conversations and strengthening the pipeline for the years ahead. Staff reported feeling more prepared, energised, and confident thanks to the training and support provided by C&C.