Rich James | twofirst

I'm an experienced charity fundraising manager and public relations director with a solid track record of working with commercial enterprises and not-for-profits, both in-house and agency. 

Whether it's fundraising, communications or a combination of both, I enjoy helping to realise the potential in smaller organisations to punch above their weight. I love working with charities and social enterprises, as well as interesting startups - especially those using technology to improve how we live and work.  

I do a bit of writing, too. You'll mostly find me banging on about fundraising, charities, corporate social responsibility (CSR), productivity and collaboration tools, and the intersection of technology and wellbeing. I've increasingly begun writing about and providing commentary on life, media and popular culture. 

If you're wondering why twofirst, it's pretty simple: with two first names, I've lost count of the number of times people switch them around or get them confused. If you can't beat them, join them. 

​Want to know more about me and the work I do?

work

My articles and comments

Why positive impact should always outweigh bad PR

The games that got us through lockdown

Why the Fresh Prince of Bel Air could teach you a thing or two about business

The free productivity tools every small charity should be using

Do enterprise social networks hold the key to solving the lack of diversity in tech?

Are you ever too young for horror?

Bigger isn't always better: Why your company should support small charities

How can we track, measure and promote wellbeing in the workplace?

Moving to a different city or country can be lonely. Here are some things that helped me cope.

Fundraiser of the Week

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My values

In many ways it matters less what you do, what field you work in, or what your turnover is. I always try to operate according to some basic values, and it’s these that will really determine whether we’ll work well together. ​If your values resonate with mine, I'm sure we’ll get on like a house on fire.
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Courage
If you’re serious about building a profile and getting your message heard, you need have the courage to be different, speak out and try new things. 
 
Accountability
It doesn’t have to be your sole purpose, but I'm a big fan of organisations who are accountable and responsible in their operations, be it environmentally or socially. ​

Transparency
For me this means simple costs and no hidden charges. Plus I'll always tell you what I think – even if it might not be what you want to hear.
 
Ambition
I want the best for your organisation, so while we always have to be realistic about goals, it's all about aiming high. It might not happen overnight, but you know what they say about the tortoise and the hare.

contact

Tweets by twofirstuk

Cultural hill(s) I'll die on

• Spielberg is the greatest director of all time. ​
• Only playing Death Stranding offline.
• The Dark Tower series >>>>> A Song of Ice and Fire.​​
• Kanye West is a musical genius.
• ​The Family Stone is my favourite Christmas film. 
• If Otis had more time he would have eclipsed Marvin. (Probably)