Meet The Team: Elle Carrol And Building Innovative Systems for Smarter Fundraising

Elle Carrol, Operations Manager at Appco UK

Charity organisations thrive when supported by smart, evolving systems, much like any successful business. At Appco UK, Operations Manager Elle Carrol has played a key role in developing innovative systems that strengthen how we and our Charity Partners work together. Her leadership reflects the vital contribution of operations professionals in helping organisations grow and adapt.

With Elle’s oversight, the consolidation of Appco UK’s systems has streamlined both its internal operations and those of its partners. Elle has helped design systems that streamline operations and give brand ambassadors, marketing companies, and charity partners unprecedented control over their success. This is achieved by focusing on user-centric design, automation, and delivering competitive advantages through vital data-driven insights to charity partners and marketing companies.

Behind Appco UK’s Innovation

As the driving force behind Appco UK’s operational transformation, Elle Carrol oversees various responsibilities, including territory management, event coordination, stock management, and system innovation. Working closely with our partners, along with her experience at Appco UK, Elle has developed Appco’s all-in-one system specifically for private sites, streamlining their processes and helping to improve attrition.

Reflecting on her role, Elle says:

“We describe the operations team as the engine of the car. We have to keep it moving. A lot of the things that I do and my team does, no one sees because it’s under the radar, but it’s integral to everything running smoothly.”

This philosophy is at the core of her approach to investing in designing smarter systems for operations teams. By focusing on ensuring a smooth operation behind the scenes, Elle ensures that partners and brand ambassadors can operate efficiently without needing to spend time and resources on understanding how to use complex systems or various user interfaces. 

The Benefits of Consolidating Systems 

One of Elle’s standout projects has been the development of a streamlined internal platform that consolidates several systems, specifically for private site fundraising, into a single, cohesive, and user-friendly tool. This system has significantly improved visibility and efficiency across different parts of the business, offering valuable insights for both brand ambassadors and support teams.

“I just wanted one system,” Elle says, reflecting on consolidating several systems when she joined Appco UK. Her determination to simplify operations led to the creation of a platform that has transformed how private site campaigns are managed.

Key features of the system include:

In-depth Insights: Brand ambassadors can view detailed metrics about site performance, such as which days yield the best results and which campaigns have been most effective.

Automation: Tasks like site approvals, data entry, and reporting have been automated, saving time and reducing errors.

Customisable Features: Users can analyse their performance and adapt strategies using data tailored to their campaigns.

The success of this consolidation has already shown clear benefits, making it easier for teams to track performance, analyse site statistics, and make informed decisions. These lessons are now helping to shape ongoing work as Appco UK explores how similar integrations could enhance other parts of the business.

As Elle explains:

“They’ve got a system where they can look at a particular site, see what charities have worked there, see the numbers, and make decisions like booking days based on real data. It’s all about making it easier for them and more time-saving for us.”

Why Smarter Systems Matter

Research supports the impact of innovative systems, such as the one developed by Elle. In the past, insights into private sites have lagged behind those of door-to-door insights. The data that can be tracked and optimised from territory profiling has improved dramatically with Appco UK's updated systems, with benefits directly improving partner and fundraiser outcomes. 

For example, the system now tracks:

• How often a site is worked

• The average performance per ambassador

• Attrition rates — both open and closed 

• Detailed breakdowns of daily sign-ups and cancellations offer a clear picture of site effectiveness and team performance.

The ability to capture these data points underscores the importance of investing in innovative ideas that improve collaboration and outcomes.

“I work really closely with the CRM and the quality department. Because I have insight into operations, I give them highlights and feedback for their clients,” Elle explains. “It’s about making sure everyone is aligned and has the tools they need to succeed.”

For Appco UK, the benefits have been clear. With the new platform in place, the organisation has experienced:

• Improved Efficiency: Tasks have become streamlined or automated, saving time and resources for teams.

• Better Results: Brand ambassadors have greater control over their success, leading to higher performance.

• Enhanced User Experience: The intuitive system reduces training time and boosts retention rates.

“The more partners we get, the busier we get. And you know, there are no more hours in the day. So, I like coming up with ideas to make things easier for them and time-saving for us.”

Innovation Through Collaboration

One of the reasons the system Elle helped develop has been so successful is her commitment to collaboration. She worked closely with developers, internal teams, and external stakeholders to ensure the platform met everyone’s needs. By listening to feedback and iterating on the system, she developed a solution that works for all users.

This collaborative approach extends beyond the initial development phase. It is an ongoing project as she continues to refine and improve the system, adding new features based on user feedback and changing organisational needs.

The Human Side of Innovation

Despite her focus on technology, Elle never loses sight of the human element in her work. She is deeply passionate about empowering her team and ensuring everyone, from brand ambassadors to support workers, feels supported.

“I spend a lot of my time helping support staff at marketing companies in different avenues, whether that’s private sites and events or stock management. It’s about helping them navigate what they need to do to help themselves and to help us,” she says.

Prioritising Innovation

Elle’s work at Appco UK offers five valuable lessons for anyone interested in the benefits of staying ahead of the competition with the power of digital systems:

Streamline Processes: Consolidate systems to save time and reduce errors.

Empower Users: Provide tools that give teams more control and transparency.

Collaborate: Engage stakeholders at all levels to create solutions that work for everyone.

Stay Flexible: Build systems that can adapt to changing needs and environments.

Never Stop Innovating: Continuously refine and improve processes to stay ahead of the curve.

Through her dedication and ingenuity, Elle Carrol has been instrumental in transforming Appco UK’s operations and setting a new standard for smarter and compliant fundraising. Appco UK’s all-in-one system not only simplifies workflows but also constantly evolves to meet the needs and goals of its charity partners and network of marketing companies. As Elle herself says:

“I love what I do. I love my job. I love the people that I work with. It’s all about creating solutions that make a difference.”