CHAIRMAN, POWERAMP MUSIC AND IGO4 INSURANCE
Phil is our first featured individual in the new Pilotlight People section, which will appear in each email newsletter. Phil has been a team member on the Charity Technology Trust project over the past year. Here are some of his thoughts on philanthropy and the experience with Pilotlight.
PL: Have you always been interested in the charity sector?
PZ: "For me, for many years, the charity sector was part of the backdrop of life that did 'good works,' but I chose not to question what or why. It was only when I had achieved some success that I became more focussed on life around me, and came face to face with this amazingly powerful, passionate and willful body of organisations."
PL: What is the first charity you can remember supporting?
PZ: "I'm not sure if 'Bob a job' as a cub aged seven or eight counts, but I certainly took great pleasure in raising money during Rag week at University. I remember once when we came down to London on a 'Rag Raid' and I went straight to Berkeley Square near the cash points in just a dressing gown and boxer shorts (yes, bare feet)....in February!! I'm not sure if people gave through fear or pity but it worked, and I remember feeling great at the end of the day!!"
PL: What motivated you to get involved with Pilotlight?
PZ: "The moment I heard about Pilotlight I was moved by the simplicity of the model that struck at the heart of the sector's challenges. By facilitating the marriage of the amazing passion, energy and knowledge in the small charity sector with the broader strategic thinking and direction cultivated in bigger business, Pilotlight delivers so much more value to the sector than money ever could. 'Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you have fed him for life.' That's what Pilotlight does."
PL: Do you think working for/with a charity has altered your perspective in your own life?
PZ: "I am constantly in awe of the people I meet in the sector, and I don't think anyone can fail to be influenced by such drive and passion. I have learned so much and undoubtedly have a clearer understanding of how I can make a difference, however small, to those less fortunate.....and how good that feels."
PL: Which cause do you feel most passionately about?
PZ: "Any cause with a human element, where vulnerable people are suffering through no fault of their own. Children are perhaps inevitably top of the list as they have no opportunity to stand up for themselves, but any disadvantaged person deserves care and support from those more fortunate, it's what should distinguish us as a species, although we too often fail in our duty of care."
PL: If you could have any dream job, what would it be?
PZ: "Running the Gates Foundation would be right up there! To have the means to make such a meaningful difference would be amazing, and of course Pilotlight would be a significant beneficiary!!"