SpoonPeople
ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END AND THIS IS THE CASE
WITH GEOFF MORRIS AND WOODEN SPOON. GEOFF HAS BEEN
THE CEO OF THE CHARITY FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS AND IS
MOVING ON TO PASTURES NEW. IT HAS BEEN A MASTERFUL
INNINGS COMPRISING MANY MOMENTS OF GREAT WORK AND
PLAY. HIS TIME AT THE CREASE HAS ENSURED THAT THE
WOODEN SPOON TEAM IS IN BETTER SHAPE TO TAKE THE
CHARITY FORWARD AND ON TO GREATER SUCCESS.
eoff Morris was born in and went to London to work for “Getting the chance to work
G
Walsall to a Welsh father the National Economic for the benefit of disadvantaged
and Australian mother, Development Council, children in a charity that is event
which played havoc from the specialising in distributive trades, driven and raises funds through
start with his choice of rugby agriculture and international the rugby community was an
team, eventually opting for affairs. opportunity I couldn’t turn down.
England! He played rugby “I enjoyed this job; I liked being I remember waiting to hear if I
throughout school, representing in London as a youngster, had a had been successful in my
and captaining the County and lot of fun and played rugby for application for the Chief
the Midlands and he also the Civil Service at Chiswick. Executive role at Spoon and
captained his 1st XV at Leicester Sadly my career was cut short several hours after the due time I
University where he was studying after I broke my back before I received a call offering me the
Economics. His favourite memory could go on to further glory!” people of Ethiopia. After the first job. I commented that the
was scoring a drop goal against a two hours of phone calls, we had deliberations had clearly gone on
touring All Blacks U19 side - “the His final game for the Civil £2,000 worth of clothing from a long time. The reply from the
only points we got!” He was Service was against Cambridge Jean Muir and at the end of the pro bono HR specialist from
also selected for the England U19 1st XV: “I didn’t enjoy it as I was week it was up to £50,000. I Deloittes (who had been made to
tour of Canada but was unable constantly protecting my back found I really enjoyed asking join Spoon on the day of the
to go and still regrets missing (quite literally) and decided to call people to give something for interviews) was on the contrary,
that opportunity. it a day.” The Seconds that day nothing. I was lucky to know “They then took me to the pub
were being refereed by the then how to contact the right people to say thanks!”
Geoff’s first job was as a MP, Jeffrey Archer. Little did and got great satisfaction from Geoff took up office in the
milkman. “While I was working Geoff know then that 30 years volunteering to help in this way.” summer of 2001 and maintains
out what I wanted to do with my later, Lord Archer would be that Wooden Spoon is the best
life I accepted a job as a calling Geoff to offer his services It wasn’t long before friends were job he’s ever had.
milkman. I really enjoyed it and to Spoon. taking bets on how long Geoff “The culture of the Charity
got very fit and after four years would stay in his present job, really appealed to me and I was
as a student felt very well paid Up to that point, Geoff was, like many being convinced that he genuinely impressed that, 18
too! After nine months, I was most young people in London, had found his forte in life and years on, the founders of the
asked to manage the whole local working hard and playing hard. would soon be off to work in the Charity were still very actively
dairy. While I was flattered at the The career had moved from charity sector. They didn’t have to involved.
time, it was not for me. Instead I agriculture to fashion and Geoff wait too long. Within a month of “It has been a great six years
decided to gain further was mixing with reputable the hugely successful Fashion Aid and there have
experience in the ‘big smoke’ designers such as Katherine event, Geoff was asked to assist been many
Hamnett, Emma Hope and with developing a three year
TRUSTEE DAVID ALLEN
Charlie Allen, advising them on business plan for a mental health G
RO
W
TH
business strategy. The next corner charity. He didn’t need much
ON GEOFF MORRIS
OF
G
S
E
P
O
O
F
O
F
N
M
U
on his career path was just about persuasion to leave the private
O
N
R
D
R
E
IS
R
“IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE
NE
T
to be turned. sector... never to return!
P
RO
F
WORKING WITH GEOFF, HE IS A
F
I
R
T
O
I
M
N
C
£
RE
SE
S
REAL GENTLEMAN. HE
Geoff sharpened his fundraising
TO
7
0
£
0
1
,
.
0
7M
00
IL
LIO
N
WORKED TIRELESSLY FOR
The Ethiopian Famine in 1984 skills during this time before
NU
MB
SPOON AND WAS ALWAYS
had a profound impact on many accepting a three month post at
C
E
O
R
M
M
OF
IT
R
TE
E
LOOKING FOR NEW WAYS TO
E
GI
ON
A
F
S
R
O
IN
millions and the world came Barnardo’s to assist with the Lord
M
C
L
2
R
RAISE THE PROFILE OF THE
0
E
A
T
S
O
E
4
S
3
14
CHARITY.
together to offer its support. Mayor’s appeal.
5
PR
O
O
V
J
E
E
R
C
T
T
H
S
E
C
Geoff knew he wanted to do “The operations at Barnardo’s
L
O
A
M
S
P
T
L
E
S
T
IX
E
D
HE WAS TOTALLY DEDICATED
YE
AR
S
TO SPOON’S SUCCESS, more than make a donation and are very slick and professional.
INCREASING NET INCOME AND
had an idea that he was sure My three month stint turned into
THEREFORE INCREASING THE
SUPPORT FOR THOUSANDS OF
would work and raise lots of a three year stay and I learnt a highlights.
DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN. money. huge amount about the running In my very first
HE WASN’T JUST THE CEO, HE
“Bob Geldof and Harvey of a charity and how charities week I remember being thrilled
WAS SOMEONE THAT WAS
ALWAYS LOOKING AT THE END
Goldsmith were putting together function. I spent the majority of to get calls from Honorary
GAME, THINKING ABOUT Live Aid. So I called Mr Goldsmith my time as Head of Special Presidents, David Duckham and
IMPROVING THE LIVES OF
with my idea for Fashion Aid. The Events and VIP fundraising, Gavin Hastings wishing me well
CHILDREN AND YOUNG
PEOPLE AND THAT IS A VERY
idea was to get designers and acquiring skills that would stand in the job.
SPECIAL QUALITY.” celebrities to donate an outfit to me in good stead in my role at “Meeting your heroes is great
be sold to raise money for the Spoon. fun and I have certainly met
Spoonews Autumn 2007 29
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