Project: Timelines and Key Milestones:
Initial Discussions began in 2019, exploring a bi-partite merger among the charities involved. During this time the CEOs aligned their visions, and trustees agreed on a unified approach.
During 2020–2021 multiple working groups were set up to tackle various aspects of the merger. By Autumn 2022 good progress had been made with:
- A merger feasibility study completed
- A Merger Delivery Board established to progress the merger discussions
- Stakeholder consultations held
- Legal/financial due diligence conducted
- A Project Manager to lead on the merger implementation programme was appointed
- A target date for the final merger completion was set for August 2023.
As a result, the merger received the green light, with a clear focus on beneficiary benefit.
Working with Eastside People:
After the green light was given, the in-house merger team knew that they did not have the in-depth expertise and understanding of everything that needed to be completed in order to ensure a successful merger.
The Chief Executives of Langdon and Kisharon, with the support of their two Boards, therefore decided to source some external resource to provide additional support in the months running up to the merger and in the planning of the implementation.
After a competitive tendering process. the team selected Eastside People due to their in-depth knowledge of the charity merger environment. Eastside People’s team, with overall management from Tracey O’Keefe, HR support from Jenny King, and expert merger guidance from John Gibbons helped them to navigate every complex integration process.
Eastside People’s consultants provided specialist merger and HR support on the project including:
- Cultural & Operational Integration planning
- Governance support
- Merger Implementation planning
- HR support on Executive structures plus assisting with staff transitions and offering advice and guidance to CEO Richard Franklin.
- Merger Mentoring and Moderation
- Financial due diligence.
“The relevant experience and calibre of EP Consultants offered a calming influence and steady hand – alongside invaluable help and support when most needed.” said Richard Franklin, Chief Executive, Kisharon Langon.
Outcome
The merger was completed in August 2023, resulting in the formation of a combined charity named Kisharon Langdon, supporting children and youth with learning disabilities and autism, with a £24 million annual budget.
A number of tangible and intangible results can be attributed to the merger including:
- Increased Beneficiary Reach: Serving more people with enhanced and diversified services
- A stronger Staff Team: A well-supported, unified workforce was able to achieve greater success
- Improved Voluntary Income generation: Fundraising saw a notable boost, assisting the charity to meet identified
- Unified Operations: A cohesive approach to service delivery, minimizing competition among previously separate entities
- An enhanced range and quality of services and increased personalisation of care, enabling the people they support to learn, develop and thrive in new and unique ways.
- A reduction in growing waiting lists for their services.
“Parents of people we support now share an overwhelming sense of reassurance about the future. In parent meetings and surveys, 85 per cent were confident of our long-term positive impact, with their pre-merger anxieties dissipated. There was also positive feedback on the increased opportunities we can offer following the merger, with the cultural or religious wishes, and life choices, of those accessing our services considered and respected.” said Richard.
Trustee Andrew Loftus added, “We firmly believe that together we will be a stronger organisation, able to provide a wider range of choices and services to the 450 people who now rely on us every day. Hopefully over time, as our vision turns into reality, Kisharon Langdon will serve as a model for other organisations across the community to show the benefits of cooperation, collaboration, and the pooling of resources for the greater benefit for all.”
Eastside People helped Kisharon and Langdon navigate a complex merger and ensure future sustainability. Having access to professional support during critical moments made a significant difference to the project’s success. As a result, Kisharon Langdon is now well-positioned to continue its mission, benefiting both its staff and the communities it serves.
The merger was not without its challenges and there were a number of obstacles to overcome, but the perseverance of the CEO, the senior leadership team and the Trustees saw these discussions lead to the final positive conclusion.
