Mark Astarita OBE (UK)

Director, Astarita Aldrich & Ward

Mark is widely known in fundraising both in the UK and internationally. He holds the record for being voted the most influential person in fundraising in the UK four times. He held the position of Executive Director of Fundraising at the British Red Cross for 14 years, where he was responsible for raising £1.7bn during his tenure. He has probably managed more emergency appeals than anyone one else in the UK.   

In 2017, Mark was asked to lead a new virtual fundraising Hub for 191 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies across the world in a role initially managed by his new company Astarita Aldrich & Ward. AAW is a Global Fundraising & Recruitment Agency managed by three former successful directors of fundraising and communications. 

 In addition to being a past Chair of the Institute of Fundraising, Mark was a trustee of VSO’s  International Board. He was a trustee of St Joseph Hospice and is currently a trustee of St Clare’s Hospice in Harlow. His proudest achievements saw him being the principle advisor to the Boards of the London Bombing Charitable Relief Fund, Manchester One Love Emergency Fund and the London Emergency Trust raising money for the victims of the Grenfell Fire in 2017. He was awarded an OBE by the Queen in 2015.   

Mark and his colleagues advise charities specifically in developing robust fundraising and marketing strategies and or supporting the recruitment of the finest fundraising talent in the world. 

 

See Mark speak at #FRO2020: Emergency fundraising lessons for the digital world today & beyond COVID-19