The UK and Ireland Lakes Network (UKILN) is seeking a consultant to help review and assist the transition to a different charitable or non-profit structure. As UKILN continues to grow, we aim to adopt a more flexible, sustainable governance model that enables wider funding access, stronger partnerships, and long-term resilience in our freshwater conservation efforts.
Why Now?
Our current Charitable Trust structure has served us well, but it limits our ability to expand our impact. A review of our legal framework will help ensure UKILN can better engage with stakeholders, secure funding, and strengthen our role in freshwater conservation.
Scope of Work
The appointed consultant will:
- Assess alternative governance and funding models (e.g., CIOs, CICs, CLGs).
- Facilitate stakeholder engagement to refine UKILN’s strategic direction.
- Develop a transition roadmap, ensuring compliance and sustainability.
- Provide guidance on securing diverse funding sources.
How to Apply
We invite proposals from experienced consultants with expertise in charity governance, funding models, and stakeholder engagement. The budget for this work is up to a maximum of £12,000 (including VAT, if applicable). Evaluation of submissions will focus on quality, cost and added value.
Deadline for submissions: 12:00 (midday) Wednesday 7th May 2025
For full details and how to apply, please download the consultant brief here and please refer to the Supporting Documents and FAQ’s below.
Frequently Asked Questions (these will not be updated beyond Friday 2nd May)
- What kind of asset base is UKILN operating with?
UKILN does not currently have a diverse asset base or complex governance structure. The only current asset is cash which until 2025 had not gone over the £5K per annum threshold, hence the need to move to a new, compliant structure.
- What is the expected depth of strategic planning?
We have referred to a high-level business plan over 5 years. What we mean by this is a short strategic plan, including charitable objectives, identifying beneficiary groups and how UKILN would fund and deliver its activities. We are not looking for an in-depth business plan with detailed financial breakdowns.
- How is this work expected to be carried out?
We expect most of this work to be completed remotely. We are looking at whether an in-person meeting is possible during the development stage in Phase 1. Please price costs for a half day in-person facilitated workshop to be held in the English Midlands, e.g. Nottingham.
- What is the expected scale and the style of stakeholder engagement?
In Phase 1 the stakeholder engagement is to better understand the operating landscape for UKILN, for example in terms of a SWOT analysis, and to inform the refresh of the vision, mission, mandate etc. We would like the consultant to prioritise stakeholder involvement (e.g. stakeholder mapping) and to develop a simple engagement plan. Some of the engagement could be delivered by UKILN to feed into this stage.
In Phase 2 the stakeholder engagement can be a short, online process with a small, prioritised stakeholder group.
- How can the assistance with transition to the new structure be priced when the outcome is not yet known?
For Phase 3, please provide a day rate and quantify how many days to carry out two options; one for a simple transition and a second for a more complex structure.
6. Have you considered other non-profit structures such as the co-operative community benefit society model, or collaborative working with existing organisations?
Yes, we would be interested in looking into the benefits of both of these.
Help shape the future of UKILN and freshwater conservation! We look forward to your proposals.
UKILN conference field trip 2016, delegates at Thirlmere.
Date: Saturday 29th October 2016,
Eimear Kearney of Lough Neagh Partnership accepted the award on behalf of the destination and said: “For Lough Neagh to be named among the 100 greenest of destinations worldwide is a real achievement for our destination. “In order to be selected for this award we had to provide extensive information on Lough Neagh and our efforts towards sustainability for the benefit of visitors, residents and the world. We are really honoured to have been selected from 150 nominations to receive this unique award.”