After nearly 10 years in the role, industry charity the Rainy Day Trust’s ceo, Bryan Clover is to retire at the end of June and recruitment is underway to fill the post.
Bryan has become a welcome fixture at countless events and exhibitions throughout the home improvement industry and during his time at the helm, the charity has undoubtedly broadened its scope of support as well as its profile among employees and businesses.
“This has been my first ceo role,” said Bryan. “It has been an incredible journey and I have made a lot of new friends along the way. I must thank the trustees whose support for the Rainy Day Trust and me as ceo has been fabulous and I am grateful for their trust. The time is right for someone else, someone with natural fundraising skills, to take over.”
Chair of Rainy Day Trust trustees, Richard Campbell-Drew from Akzo Nobel, said Bryan had worked tirelessly to get the charity in front of businesses, not only to raise funds, but also to spread the word of how their employees could benefit. “Bryan’s skill has been to recognise the hidden nature of many problems that employees and retirees in our industry face and he has also been responsible for expanding our remit into supporting young people at the start of their careers, with our apprenticeship packages.
“He has become a well-known face in all the sectors that make up the home improvement industry but has always put the Charity first. He will be sorely missed. Thank you Bryan and we wish you all the best.”
Among the initiatives that Bryan has championed and that are a core part of the Rainy Day Trust’s work today are the Let’s Save Energy programme, welfare benefits calculator, telephone counselling and debt advice.
Who can forget Bryan’s dogged determination over the years to complete countless coastal walks and challenges (his next is the Jurassic Ultra in May). Although Bryan believes he is not a natural fundraiser, this has led to him raising in excess of £2.5million for the charity.
Bryan will be attending Exclusively in June, so housewares colleagues, look out for him to say goodbye. “I may be leaving the role but I will be watching from afar. Some of you might be glad to see the back of me and my constant emails. Joking aside, there are plenty of people who really do need the charity’s help. But we can’t help them if they don’t know what we can do. Let us come and chat to staff members to make them aware. Those businesses who have arranged for us to do that have certainly seen a positive outcome for staff and the business itself.”
As for all that free time Bryan will have, he’s looking forward to getting back to creative pursuits. “I’m going to take up photography again and get myself a subscription to photoshop. Also painting – but not of the home improvement kind. While I am still involved with RDT though, if anyone does want to take up my offer of a wine-tasting (or gin or whisky) to raise funds, then let me know.
“Thanks to everyone for their support over the last decade and if you’d like to stay in touch then drop me a message at bryanclover@hotmail.com. If I don’t hear from you, I’ll leave you in peace – and this time I mean it.”
