George is a retired finance director having worked in small and medium-sized enterprises in the hospitality and healthcare sectors supporting their growth from incorporation to medium sized enterprises.
Tell us about your journey with Pilotlight.
A friend introduced me to Pilotlight in 2019 as he was sponsored by his employer, Barclays, to participate. I have been a Pilotlighter since 2021 and have worked with three charities to date.
Why did you become a Pilotlighter?
I became a Pilotlighter as it seemed an ideal way to understand the charity sector as my experience to date had only been with commercial enterprises. I wanted to use my knowledge and experience rather than just volunteer occasionally.
What has been your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge was to appreciate that resources have been very tight for charities. They’ve been greatly impacted by Covid and the cost-of-living crisis and the lack of funding is only one of the problems they face.
What surprised you the most?
The resilience of the charities I’ve worked with to deal with adversity and continue to function effectively when resources are stretched.
What’s your proudest moment?
My proudest moment was at the end of a recent visit to the charity’s headquarters to see them in action. As the 16–17-year-olds, who benefit from the charity's programmes, were filing out, one or two of them stopped to say thank you to the Pilotlighters for coming and showing interest in their futures.
Tell us the impact Pilotlight has had on you, both personally and professionally.
Being a Pilotlighter has given me a greater understanding of how charities work, the challenges they face and how they encounter the same day to day problems that commercial enterprises have; except they don’t have the safety net of accessible funds when problems arise.
It’s also been an invaluable learning experience working alongside other Pilotlighters and Trustees who bring in diverse perspectives and there's been a real sense of collaboration between us all.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming a Pilotlighter?
I would say until you have worked with your first charity, it is hard to appreciate the impact of the time and energy you have invested in supporting the charity and therefore, do not expect instant results. Change takes time and there’s a great fulfilment in seeing your charity go through a positive change and be able to finally achieve its goals.
Describe being a Pilotlighter in three words.
Illuminating – Rewarding - Educational
"Being a Pilotlighter has given me a greater understanding of how charities work, the challenges they face and how they encounter the same day to day problems that commercial enterprises have."