Promotion of the Training project and administration of the Advice and Support Service became the responsibility of the Development Officer. A review of the Development Plan was undertaken in January 1996, and a new Development Plan for 1996-97 was approved in March 1996. The leading firm of media lawyers Stephens Innocent agreed to become Honorary Solicitors to the Company. Dick Maule of Bristol Community Accountants, a member of the Charities Practitioners' Forum, was appointed as Auditor. New book-keeping and monitoring systems have been introduced.
Arrangements are in hand for quarterly management accounts to be prepared independently.
The administrator' s contract was not renewed by the company, but Mike Sansom's contract was renewed on a 4-day week to the financial year end. In January 1996 Mike Sansom was confirmed in post as Development Officer until March 1997. Mike Jempson, who has provided his professional services as media consultant since PressWise first started, was appointed part-time Executive Director on a retainer. Until a part-time office administrator is appointed they will share responsibility for clerical duties. Fundraising Prior to the registration of the Company, a fundraising strategy had been prepared and implemented, concentrating on a project specific approach to grant-making bodies both by PressWise and via the Media Research Trust.