Peterborough Cathedral is one of those places that stops you in your tracks. A Norman masterpiece rising above the Cambridgeshire skyline, it has stood for nearly a thousand years as a place of worship, community, and cultural heritage. Keeping a building like that alive, and the programmes it supports thriving, takes more than passion. It takes serious fundraising talent.

When the Cathedral needed to appoint a new Head of Fundraising, they turned to Charisma. And we were delighted to help.

The challenge

The role was significant. Peterborough Cathedral needed someone who could secure vital resources to preserve its rich architectural heritage while continuing to support its community outreach, education initiatives, and worship programmes. This was not simply a fundraising position. It required a leader with genuine strategic vision, an appreciation for heritage, and the ability to connect donors with a mission that genuinely matters.

Finding that combination of skills and values is where a thoughtful, tailored recruitment process makes all the difference.

A campaign built around the Cathedral's story

Rather than posting a job advert and waiting, Charisma partnered with the Cathedral to build a recruitment campaign that reflected who they are and what they stand for.

A carefully crafted social media video brought the Cathedral's legacy and mission to life, giving prospective candidates a real sense of the organisation they would be joining. This was paired with targeted outreach and strategic headhunting, reaching professionals who had the right background but might not have been actively looking.

The result? Nineteen applications from a strong and capable field.

Rigorous vetting, real people

Nineteen applications is encouraging. But the real work lies in understanding who, within that pool, is truly the right fit.

Nick, who led the search for Charisma, conducted 12 comprehensive vetting interviews with highly capable fundraising professionals. Each conversation went beyond a CV review. The aim was to understand each candidate's motivations, their relationship with heritage and mission-driven work, and their ability to build meaningful relationships with donors and stakeholders.

From those interviews, ten candidates were shortlisted. Four were then invited to panel interviews with the Cathedral's leadership team, giving the organisation direct exposure to the strongest contenders in a setting that allowed for genuine conversation.

The appointment

Following a thorough and engaging process, one exceptional candidate was appointed as the new Head of Fundraising.

The successful candidate brings proven strategic expertise and a genuine appreciation for heritage organisations. They are well placed to lead the Cathedral's fundraising efforts with both ambition and sensitivity, ensuring that Peterborough Cathedral can continue to protect its legacy and serve future generations.

The Cathedral's COO reflected warmly on the experience:

"Thank you, Nick. It has been a real pleasure working with you."

That kind of feedback means a great deal to us. Recruitment at this level is a partnership, and it works best when there is trust, communication, and a shared commitment to getting it right.

Why this kind of work matters to us

At Charisma, we specialise in recruitment for the charity, faith, and heritage sectors. We understand that organisations like Peterborough Cathedral are not simply hiring a job title. They are bringing someone into a community, a story, and a responsibility.

That is why we invest time in understanding each client's culture and values before we begin searching. It is why we approach candidates with care rather than cold transactional outreach. And it is why we take the vetting process seriously, not as a hurdle, but as an opportunity to find genuine alignment between candidate and organisation.

Fundraising leadership roles in the heritage and faith sectors carry real weight. The right appointment can unlock new income streams, deepen donor relationships, and give an organisation the confidence to invest in its future. The wrong one can set that work back considerably. Getting it right is worth the effort.

Looking ahead

Peterborough Cathedral now has a Head of Fundraising who is ready to help it flourish. We are proud to have played a part in that, and we look forward to seeing what comes next for this remarkable place.

If your organisation is looking for fundraising leadership, or any senior appointment within the charity or heritage sector, we would love to have a conversation.

Get in touch with the Charisma team