The National Union of Students (NUS) is a high profile national membership and campaigning organisation.  Whilst they are a relatively small organisation who have a national impact and reputation. 

In late 2007 the then Chief Executive (called the National Director) left at short notice.  The organisation was in crisis.  They had been running at a deficit budget for many years, their reserves were running low, they had few effective systems, little financial control, no vision or strategy, were becoming increasingly ineffective and their members (95% of students’ unions in the UK) were raising significant questions about their effectiveness.  After many years, this really was the eleventh hour.

The President and acting Chief Executive of NUS first approached Proventure as a sounding board, to advise on a strategy to help them through this crisis.  Proventure worked closely with the senior leadership team to help construct a strategy for the recovery of NUS.  The strategy developed and pursued in partnership with Proventure included:

• Production of a Recovery Plan, which became the Improvement Plan
• Appointment of an Improvement Board, with independent trustees, on which Proventure were full members
• Appointment of an interim Chief Operating Officer and interim Director of Communications
• A full review of the organisational structure and proposals for a new structure
• Establishment of a new vision, endorsed by the NUS membership
• Roll out of a new structure, with reductions of 15% in staff overheads
• Support through a full redundancy programme
• Recruitment of a new senior management team
• A full review of equality practice, including a comprehensive Equality Impact Assessment and a draft Equalities Action Plan
• Implementation of a new performance management framework and appraisal scheme
• Outsourcing of HR support
• Implementation of a new governance structure and establishment of a new Board of Trustees
• Independent facilitation of the Chief Executive’s appraisals including setting challenging appraisal targets and a full personal development plan.
• Confidential support and coaching throughout to the NUS Chief Executive and President

Throughout, Proventure has been a key partner of NUS.

NUS is now firmly on the path to excellence.  It has come through the crisis.  NUS has stabilised its finances, has introduced new staff systems, has increasing levels of staff and member satisfaction, is valued by its students’ union members and has a very high reputation in government and the third sector.  NUS has come out stronger and more effective.

When we first spoke to Proventure we were facing meltdown.  Their support was invaluable.  They brought clarity, focus, and challenge at all steps of our journey.  Their advice has always been top class.  As a small consultancy they focused on our needs and were flexible and thorough.  I’ve worked with many consultancies, and put simply, Proventure provided the best quality advice and service, based on an amazing depth and breadth of knowledge.  I would not hesitate to recommend them.

Matt Hyde, Chief Executive of NUS