Name: Abi Smith
Company: St. Joseph’s Hospice
Position: Income and Business Development Manager
What do you actually do day-to-day? I ensure that the fundraising and lottery team deliver our budget to ensure we have enough income to deliver the services of the hospice, within this I look after our corporate and major donor supporters. I also look at new income streams, including setting up separate social enterprises, as a charity we can’t rely on just fundraising in the future.
What experiences or influences guided you toward your current profession? I have always worked in sales and decided that I wanted to work for a charity rather than line somebody else’s pocket! I said I would give it 6 months and still in the sector over 20 yrs later!!
What’s the best advice you have ever received? Just be yourself and honest. My motto is to under-promise and over-deliver.
What does leadership mean to you? Guiding your team to make decisions for themselves and believe in them, so they can take ownership. Also, as a leader is being a good communicator.
What has been your favourite Professional Liverpool event and why? / If you are a new member, which event are you most looking forward to attending and why? I got to attend Cannes Do this year for the first time to help with the selling of raffle tickets but want to attend next year as a guest It’s the event that everyone talks about.
What’s your favourite TV programme? I don’t have a favourite TV show but love anything house / home related.
How do you relax? Love time in the garden or creating memories with my husband and daughter. My daughter is nearly 18 yrs old and we are starting a new time in our lives where it’s just my husband and I – can’t wait.
Which do you prefer: sweets or chocolate? And what’s your favourite? Definitely Chocolate. Minstrels or Maltesers.
Pub or club? A pub, too old to be standing in a club. Can’t beat a pub garden on a lovely sunny afternoon with a G&T.
Do you have any hobbies? Spending time with family and friends and love going to keep fit after work.
Go to karaoke song? Anything Take That or Robbie Williams.
Favourite venue in Liverpool? Depends on what is the occasion, something special with the girls would be The Ivy, a cheeky afternoon with the husband would be The Red Fox, Wirral as I don’t live far from it. I go shopping often with a good friend of mine which always involves drinks and a visit to Mowgli’s.