BARCLAYS Corporate has strengthened its charity offering in the North-east with the introduction of a relationship director responsible for providing specialist support in the region.

David Collins, who already has responsibility for Barclays Corporate relationships with the education sector, will join a nationwide team of 40 specialists providing increased local-level support to the voluntary sector.

The move is a direct response to the headwinds facing third sector organisations which include declining Government grants and increasing pressure on donations.

With immediate effect, charities are now able to draw on a network of relationship directors across the UK, including Scotland, Ireland, Northern and Eastern counties, as well as the Midlands, Wales, the South-west, the Southern counties and London. They not only have an in-depth knowledge of the voluntary sector but also understand the individual needs and issues facing the charities within the communities they support.

David McHattie, head of charities at Barclays Corporate, said: “With funding cuts bearing down and donation levels falling, charities face the challenge of reducing incomes, just at a time when they are most needed. We believe it is essential that Barclays Corporate is able to provide increased support and advice at a local level”.

Some of the issues will be around how to maximise efficiencies, whether it be removing duplications in managing finances, consolidating cash balances or negotiating better deals based on economies of scale.

Relationship director Mr Collins said: “We will be working closely with a number of charities to explore how best to navigate the current environment and will also look to evaluate whether now might be the time for them to take on a modest amount of debt in order to maximise incomes.

“Scope, the disability charity, recently raised £20m to support fundraising at the end of last year.” He said a number of other charities were now exploring this possibility.