Eliot Budd – Register Manager, Information Compliance

“I started working with the Commission through an agency in October 2007. I’d just come back from working at a kids’ camp in America and when they suggested ‘filing’ for the Charity Commission I had visions of being led to an archaic basement library – fortunately it was nothing like that at all!

From day-one I found the place to be very forward thinking and the people really friendly and welcoming. I didn’t hesitate to apply for a full-time role when one came up in August 2008. I’m now the Register Manager here – which means that it’s my job to look after the team who update information about all the charities registered with us. On a daily basis, we handle correspondence, liaise with trustees and work very closely with the Post team.

This is my first management position, so it’s taken me a little while to find my feet – luckily the guys here are really supportive and are always very quick to help me out (and crack a few jokes at the same time!). My senior and co-manager have been amazing too, so there’s always someone to go to for assistance.

Everything about my time here has been a learning experience, and not just in the sense of career development. To be completely honest, I didn’t know anything about the Charity Commission before I started – the only interaction I’d had with charities was with the people in the street holding clipboards. I very quickly discovered the vast role that the Commission plays – there are so many different aspects to it and it’s changing and growing every day.

The new Online Service is a perfect example of this. As part of our push to modernise the whole sector, we’ve stopped automatically sending out paper forms to charities. Instead, we’re encouraging them to take greater responsibility themselves; using the online system to submit their Annual Returns/Updates and Accounts. It’s a great idea – and one that’s already paying off.”