Anthony Oconnor

Director of Fundraising & Development @Pro-Manchester

I have been Director of Fundraising & Development at Manchester Cathedral September 2008. Launched the Manchester Cathedral Development Project in October 2010 to take forward the cathedral’s capital and social programme of investment. The first phase of the multi-million fundraising campaign opened up the Cathedral to a wide variety of activities, including concerts, dinners and festivals. I established Volition Community in as a Trustee & Director; this charity helps the long-term unemployed find work through volunteering. To date, over two thousand individuals have been through this programme with over 40% year-on- year moving into work. This programme has transformed the cathedral and our volunteer base Fundraising efforts have generated over £18.5m to date, which also includes funds to support Volition. Prior to my arrival at Manchester Cathedral, I was at Sheffield Cathedral for over seven years and raised over £6.4m to build a centre at the side of Sheffield Cathedral to establish a new home for the Cathedral Archer Project.I created a social enterprise which generated a surplus within the third month of operation. Before my move to Sheffield Cathedral, I was a Civil Servant for 18 years working in London, Manchester & Sheffield.