Executives shining their light for charity

Jan 11 2008 By Erikka Askeland

Managers apply skills to give back to community

Having reached a certain level of success and achievement in a career, most find they want to give something back. Many are happy to write a cheque and feel like they've done their bit. But some are looking for something a little more meaningful or hands-on. But for a senior professional or entrepreneur, time to spend on helping out can come at a premium.

Andy Rear, who runs the insurance consulting practice of global advisory group Oliver Wyman, was frustrated to find his hectic schedule often got in the way of getting involved. Most days Rear is travelling across Europe, then to his office in London and comes back to Scotland on Fridays.

"Over the years I've done things with various charities and local politics. They eventually fell away simply because I don't have the time," says Rear.

"You begin to feel very wary of committing to anything because you know at some point you are going to let people down."

It was due to chance and an idle moment of websurfing that he came across Pilotlight, a new charitable programme in Scotland aimed at busy executives with more civic mindedness than they have time.

Pilotlight Scotland, headed by chartered accountant Angela McCusker, specialises in matching senior managers with small local charities.

"What attracted me was the idea of being able to do something useful and apply my skills in the charity sector without getting tied into things," said Rear.

"The whole Pilotlight model seemed particularly geared to people like me who are frustrated with their inability to use their skills in a positive way."

Pilotlighters join a team of three fellow executives who commit to working three hours a month with their selected charity.

Working with a project manager, in what McCusker describes as a highly managed process, the team meets with the charity's boss to set targets and draw up a plan of action. This then becomes the programme for the next year to 18 months.

For Janet Barnes, chief executive of the Craigmillar charity Community Connections, Pilotlight has been a real boon.

Founded 15 years ago by multi-millionaire entrepreneur Barry Sealy, Community Connections provides support to underachieving youngsters at Castlebrae Community High School and has made a real impact in raising aspirations in one of Scotland's most deprived areas.

Barnes found she was spending most of her time raising funds rather than delivering projects for the kids. So instead, despite what she describes as a dearth of retail skills, Barnes made Community Connections into a "social enterprise" by opening a shop at the new Edinburgh Royal Infirmary down the road.

The shop also brokers a range of services offered by small local businesses, creating a much-needed conduit between the hospital and the community.

The shop has been a success so far but it could be more successful. Before Christmas she met with Rear and his fellow Pilotlighters to see how they can help.

"It was halfway between a job interview and going into the Dragon's Den - only in a very pleasant way," recalls Barnes, with a laugh. "They were all lovely but there were four of them and one of me.

"We couldn't buy this sort of consultancy support that I'm able to get from Pilotlight."

Likewise, Rear was impressed with the charity and with Barnes.

"Janet is tremendous, she's got incredible energy and ideas pour out of her," he said.

Pilotlight Scotland is recruiting senior managers to get involved with up to 40 charities. The programme costs £1,300 for individual member or £2,000 for corporate members. Go to scotland.pilotlight.org.uk