Those whose idea of heaven is a large slab of chocolate would be forgiven for going green with envy with the frequency and amount of

chocolate which lands in the office of the Confectioners Benevolent Fund.

Affectionately known as the 'Sweet Charity,' the fund was established in 1918 to help those in, or formerly in, the confectionery industry requiring financial support or advice. Its major contributors (both in funding and feeding the Fund’s staff) include Nestlé, Cadbury and Mars.

“The different confectionery companies would not usually work with each other but they come together for the events as a common link,” explains fundraising and events manager Sarah Fitzer. “When we do events, the goody bags can be filled with over £30 worth of chocolate and sweets. Sometimes they are so full that they are actually three bags tied together!”

You might think the guests at the events Fitzer organises who work within the confectionery industry surely must get tired of the sweet stuff. But she assures me this is not the case: “We get support from the whole industry – wholesalers, retailers, customers - the guests never tire of chocolate, or certainly their partners do not. If you work for one company, you might get bored of one type of chocolate, so it’s quite nice to try someone else’s.”

Although Fitzer’s main remit is as events manager, being part of a small head office team of six means she also has to handle the PR and marketing aspects and even update the website.

While she sums it up as “a broad and varied job,” she says there are times when this can be a disadvantage: “This sometimes means that I may want to spend time on events but I have to stop instead so I can write a press release.”

Fitzer is responsible for organising three central fundraising events: a gala dinner for 200 guests, which travels to a different venue each year; a Burns Supper, traditionally but curiously, held at The Grand in Brighton as Palmer & Harvey, who deliver goods to independent retailers, are based in Brighton; and the organisation’s biggest event, The Candy Ball for 1,000 people held at Grosvenor House Hotel, London. She also supports eight area committees around the country who organise around 15 large fundraising events a year.

“The Candy Ball celebrated its 60th anniversary this year,” says

Fitzer. “We themed the event as a post war street party bringing in elements of the modern time. The night raised over £215,000 with the auction bringing in about £30,000 on the night.”

Fitzer has been working in events for six years. Although she studied for a degree in cognitive science and artificial intelligence, she became hooked on events – and the possibility of raising cash for good causes through them – at the University of Exeter.

Having become involved in organising a ball for 2,000 students, which sold out in four hours and raised £20,000, Fitzer became a RAG co-ordinator before joining the marketing and events department of Safeway, where part of her remit was to work on the Grocers’ Benevolent Ball. She then worked for Ann Summers, organising events for party planners and retail store managers.

profile

As event manager for the Confectioners’ Benevolent Fund, Sarah Fitzer has access to the tastiest goody bags in the events industry. Katherine Simmons reports

'The guests never tire of chocolate -

certainly their partners do not'

Sarah FitzerConfectioners

Benevolent Fund

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Continued on page 56

Sweet talk: Sarah Fitzer at the Pearl Room, Renaissance Chancery Court

Life on Mars

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Since joining the Fund in 2005, her main aim has been to maximise return for the charity by bringing event organisation in-house. She has already managed to make 30 per cent cost savings on the Candy Ball, resulting in an increase in the funds made available to the charity, from £160,000 in 2006 to £215,000 in 2007.

With 75 per cent of the charity’s funding coming directly from events, the pressure is all on Fitzer to deliver. She says: “It’s all about the balance of profit versus producing an excellent event. Managing the budget and suppliers directly has allowed us to save money and increase quality, although it does mean long hours.”

And Fitzer is aiming to generate more revenue by acting as an event agency for industry partners with the agency fee being paid into the Benevolent Fund. Her aim is to exploit past successes and eventually grow the events department.

She explains: “The charity benefits by retaining the fee which would usually be paid to an agency - in effect, the charity works for them. The Candy Ball has built up a reputation in the industry as 'the' event to go to, so why not use our services?”

profile

Continued from page 55

Sweet talk: Sarah Fitzer at the Pearl Room, Renaissance Chancery CourtLooking ahead: Fitzer's aim is to grow capacity for external events

PersonalfileStar sign: GeminiFavourite thing: A long relaxing bathJob to die for: Organising Radio 1's One Big Sunday or maybe the Royal Variety Performance and bringing in all the actsWhat inspires me: The realisation that life is too short, so you've got to go out there and make the most of every opportunity

F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 8

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