CTSI & SVE Appoint Independent Chair to Support Merger
Clackmannanshire TSI (CTSI) and Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise (SVE), the Third Sector Interfaces for their respective local authority areas, are delighted to announce the appointment of Allan Rennie as the Independent Chair of the Merger Steering Group now formed to take forward the proposed merger of the two charities.
Allan is well known to both Chief Officers, Anthea Coulter and Natalie Masterson as the current chair of the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Integration Joint Board where he has worked alongside them for six years and in his capacity as Non-Executive Director of NHS Forth Valley.
“We are delighted to have Allan join the Merger Steering Group at such a critical time,” outlines Anthea Coulter, chief officer at CTSI, “effective planning and communication will be essential throughout this process, but they are strengthened by having a critical friend who can provide objective challenge, informed advice, and help shape robust discussions at an early stage. We are confident that Allan will be able to navigate and support us with this challenging and unfamiliar process.”
Allan comes with a varied career background which includes working as a journalist on a variety of newspapers and as Managing Director of Media Scotland. He served on the independent review panel into the police complaints system in Scotland and is also honorary professor of Culture and Media Studies at the University of Stirling. Allan has strong communication, people and partnership working skills which lends him an impartial view to help support a fair, transparent and well-governed merger planning process between CTSI and SVE.
In early July both Boards of Trustees agreed to recommend a full merger to their member organisations and since the end of September a members’ consultation process has been underway and will extend to the end of November.
Allan shares the enthusiasm of the senior management teams to create an improved service for over 800 community and third sector member groups across Clackmannanshire and Stirling. He said: “I have seen first-hand the incredible life-changing work of the third sector. It is a privilege to be invited to support significant reform which will improve services and outcomes for people through a single sustainable organisation.”
Natalie Materson, chief executive officer at SVE has also shared the importance of Allan’s appointment, “In light of the recent announcements by Scottish Government it will be helpful to have Allan’s perspective to guide us through a period where our decision and vision may be questioned. Allan knows the importance of the third sector within a health context and will play an important role in helping guide us and our trustees to create an enlarge and valued TSI for the area.”
The charities will aim to conclude the process in early 2027 where the members will be invited to vote on the proposals.
For more details on the Merger please go to the dedicated pages on our websites.
SVE Members' Merger Consultation
CTSI Members' Merger Consultation
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