2012 CofEe Club - Sponsorship

The twenty-sixth meeting of the Centres of Excellence Club (CofEe Club) was hosted by M&G Investments Group, at their offices in London on the 26th April 2012.

The topic for the meeting was Sponsorship of managed change.

Active and visible executive sponsorship has been identified as the top contributor to change success, while ineffective change sponsorship from senior leaders is seen to be the biggest obstacle to success. In significant change initiatives that stretch across organisations, sponsorship does not typically sit with one person but is allocated, possibly on a temporary basis, to local managers who are closer to the ‘action’. In fact, we know that successful change initiatives employ different types of sponsors who perform specific roles.

This session looked at the role of sponsors in the governance and execution of change initiatives and the behaviours, organisational structures and approaches that have proved successful.

Two case studies were presented by members of CofEe Club and an analysis of change sponsorship led by a CITI expert formed the basis for members to join one or more of the breakout groups that explored: 

• On-boarding the Board
• The value and role of the catalyst sponsor, the executive who will have the ultimate authority for the change
• The value and role of the enabling sponsor, the manager who leads the change in their department or division
• How to support a struggling sponsor.

CofEe Club is an invitation-only, membership-based network of like-minded professionals with responsibility for change, projects, programmes and portfolios in their organisations. Each quarter, a member organisation hosts a workshop at which a current hot topic is discussed, and experiences and concerns are shared.

If you are interested in becoming a member please email Amanda Muscat at amuscat@citi.co.uk.