Is it me?

Happy St Georges day to one and all.

Recently, I read a bit by John Dodwell "I've been reading with interest the correspondence in WRG’s “Navvies” about whether there is still a need for a “Them” and “Us” approach – and the concern that if the Trust is treated as the new “Them”, that might become a self-fulfilling prophecy." 

John continued: "But I'm encouraged to see “Navvies” adding the Trust’s volunteer co-ordinators to the contacts list. I remember Robert Aickman writing something like “it is necessary to shout to be heard.” He was right – at a time when no-one was listening. But they are now – and so that critical friend in IWA (and others) will probably achieve their aim more easily by having a quiet word (or many) than by shouting from the rooftops. But, if that doesn't work, then the  rooftops are there." 

Now, that might well become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Ladder anyone?

John also said "Looking forward, we are looking for a replacement for Robin Evans." John  then went on to discuss the remuneration package. "So how much are we going to pay such a person?" John continued "There’s no point in paying peanuts and getting monkeys, as the saying goes. The facts are that many charity bosses get well over £100,000. You may feel charity bosses should be charitable and work for low pay – as I did in the IWA in the 70s – but those days are largely over. The last National Trust chief exec got between £210,000 and £220,000."

Well I suppose that gives the boaters a heads up of the current thinking around the basic pay point. Doesn't say anything about bonus payments, performance related pay and pension provision. 

John continued "The Trustees took advice about pay levels when we took over; we decided what to do in the light of that advice and agreed that the salary range should be between £175,000 and £200,000. So the Chief Exec’s basic salary came down from £222,000 to £195,000."

Which pretty well confirms the starting point for the new incumbents basic pay. 

Then in a kafkaesque moment, John continued "We haven’t published a salary level for the new appointment – why give away a negotiating point?"

As John said "There’s no point in paying peanuts and getting monkeys". So anything less than £195,000 would just be peanuts to pay a monkey. Now call me old and cynical, but thats a lot of peanuts and £195,000 is a pretty good hint on the starting point.

John continued "but my personal view is that you people shouldn't expect to see a marked variation. Having said that, this is an important job and we need to get the right person."

So "us people" have a good idea - nudge nudge - wink wink - say no more!

On another tack: Well the announcement of the anointment of a new CEO for caRT is imminent.  So I am thinking of running a CaRT CEO not-the-postcode-lottery.....

The chance options go something like this....

The new CEO will own a boat  < 1%

The new CEO will fish the canals < 1%

The new CEO would recognise a windlass < 1%

The new CEO will have worked for BWB/CaRT > 50%

The new CEO will have a formal financial background < 50%

The new CEO will not like peanuts > 99%

The new CEO will top £300,000 with pay, bonus and pensions >90%

The new CEO will be no stranger to the current management team > 80%

Later.....