One of the North West’s most high profile charities has today launched a search for its new boss as part of its growth plan.

Applications are welcome for Manchester Pride’s newly created chief executive role as the charity sets its sights on creating a series of year round events to increase the annual donations it makes to local worthy causes.

Manchester Pride operates as an umbrella charity that regularly donates six figure sums to smaller North West charities with funds raised through a focussed series of events during August.

Its turnover is in excess of £1 million and now the organisation intends to extend its brand to create a year-round fundraising effort operated by a small, well-structured organisation.

The centrepiece of Manchester Pride’s fundraising calendar will remain the August bank holiday Big Weekend festival which is well established as a firm favourite with the LGBT community across the UK, Europe and America.

“The recent resignation of our festival director gave the trustees an opportunity to review our aims and structure”, said Manchester Pride’s chair, Vicken Couligian.

Couligian added: “The success of the Pride Fringe running up to the Big Weekend proves that we can do more to raise awareness of LGBT issues and increase the six figure donations that we already make to charities. We want to fully realise our potential and the appointment of a chief executive reflects this.

“Manchester Pride’s event management will also be brought in house with the creation of a new event manager role as part of the changes giving us the flexibility and focus needed to broaden our horizons.

“Crucially, these changes will reduce our staffing and event costs while allowing us to do more fundraising activities throughout the year.”

With the new team expected to be in place by early next year, Manchester Pride anticipates that new events and activities will take place during Spring and Summer 2012, all designed to increase the donations its makes to charities.

Accountable to Manchester Pride’s voluntary board of trustees, the chief executive will be responsible for delivering its long-term vision, managing a team of three, liaising with the community and partners, and delivering a high profile and complex city-centre based event annually.

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