The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has confirmed that 30 roles on the Isle of Wight are at risk of redundancy as part of a major restructuring – just 12 months after the Cowes-headquartered charity announced another round of proposed job cuts.
The Foundation has today (Monday) begun a formal consultation on proposals to restructure the organisation, placing a total of 46 UK roles at risk of redundancy, including 30 on the Isle of Wight.
As previously reported by Island Echo, the Foundation placed 17 roles at risk of redundancy in July last year as part of a separate restructuring exercise.
The latest proposals come as the organisation says it must respond to a tougher funding climate by concentrating its resources around its strategic focus on plastics, fashion and textiles, and critical minerals.
The Foundation says the changes are designed to provide a stable base from which it can continue to grow its impact and deliver its work on the circular economy.
Joe Murphy, Interim Chief Executive of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, has said:
“These are difficult changes that affect colleagues we value, including people here on the Island and we will support everyone through the consultation with care.
“We are making them so the Foundation can keep delivering on a strategy that is working, from a base we can sustain and grow.”
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The consultation will follow UK collective consultation requirements, with no final decisions on individual roles being made until the process has concluded.
Despite the proposed redundancies, the Foundation has stressed that Cowes will remain its home and headquarters.
Ellen MacArthur, Founder and Chair of Trustees, has said:
“The Isle of Wight is where the Foundation began, and Cowes remains our home and headquarters, home to many of our colleagues.
“Decisions like this are never easy and we are committed to looking after everyone affected with the care they deserve.
“The case for the circular economy is stronger than ever and these changes will enable the Foundation to keep going with focus and purpose for many years to come.”
The Foundation says the Isle of Wight will remain central to its work as it moves through the consultation process.
