Miles Stevenson became Director of Development for The University of Sheffield in June 2002, at which point this leading UK research university had no Development and Alumni Relations Office and only six regular donors. The University’s centenary in 2005 provided, through a year-long programme of celebrations, the perfect opportunity to reconnect with alumni and promote philanthropy. Over the last eight years the office has grown to a staff of 17, has established a successful annual fund programme, received six- and seven-figure cash gifts and dealt with over 1,700 legacy enquiries. It has helped to raise £24 million in gifts and pledges.

Prior to Sheffield, Miles spent nine years at the University of Bristol, where he implemented successful alumni telephone and legacy campaigns. Miles was educated at the University of Durham where he took a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Master’s Degree in Medieval History. He has spoken at fundraising conferences in Eire, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and The Netherlands and chairs the annual CASE Europe Spring Institute.