Supporting Organisational Transition at CGD Society
About the Organisation
CGD Society is the UK’s leading charity for individuals and families affected by Chronic Granulomatous Disorder (CGD). Alongside supporting the UK community, the charity plays a global role in sharing information and connecting people with this rare condition.
What They Needed
In 2022, the CGD Society began a strategic shift, transferring day-to-day operational responsibility from its volunteer Board of Trustees to a newly expanded staff team. This included promoting the Charity Coordinator into the Executive Director role and appointing a new Community Fundraising and Marketing Officer.
To make this transition work, the organisation needed:
Greater clarity around roles and responsibilities
Stronger communication and reporting between Board and staff
Tools and support to help the team implement strategy confidently and consistently.
What We Did Together
I worked with the organisation over a series of sessions that combined consultation, facilitation and tailored training. The aim was to support smooth organisational change while building the staff team's confidence and capability.
1. Facilitated role alignment session
We began with a structured session involving the Chair, committee Trustees and staff. I introduced governance best practice around Board/staff boundaries, and facilitated reflective discussions to:
Identify where current responsibilities overlapped or were unclear
Surface tensions and assumptions in a constructive, collaborative way
Create a shared understanding of each group’s roles and remit
2. Governance and operations workshop
In a follow-up session, we looked more closely at the systems and processes needed to support these new structures. This included:
Strengthening reporting and accountability mechanisms
Establishing clear expectations around communication and decision-making
Agreeing changes to planning cycles and meeting formats to support better strategy delivery
3. Targeted staff development and tools
To embed these changes, I designed and delivered two training sessions with the staff team, focused on:
Communicating clearly and with influence
Planning and preparing effectively for Board engagement
These were supported by bespoke templates for board papers, project briefs and presentations, all tailored to CGD Society’s context and style. Staff reported increased confidence in presenting their work and planning collaboratively, and the Board noted clearer, more concise documentation in meetings.
The Impact
The changes supported smoother, more confident collaboration between Trustees and staff, helping the organisation make decisions more effectively and deliver on its strategic goals.
The Executive Director shared: "The project provided invaluable clarity on roles and responsibilities, equipping both Board and staff with the tools to streamline decision-making, and confidently implement strategic changes. This newfound alignment and capability will drive tangible improvements in operational efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction."
Need Support with Organisational Change?
Whether your team is growing, your governance needs rethinking, or your roles are shifting, I can help you navigate change with clarity and confidence. Let’s talk about how tailored consultancy can support your next steps.