Guest comment: Why I switched from banking to the charity sector

I'd been working for HBOS or one of its subsidiaries in Scotland for 29 years when the option of voluntary redundancy came up in August 2008. Throughout that time I had always worked within the corporate banking division in either a business development or sales role, and had reached the position of area director, sales and origination by the time I left.

Considering my age (50), and the amount of time I'd spent with the company, redundancy was essentially an opportunity to do something else with my life. However, after 29 years with the same firm and the current economic climate, job-hunting was a daunting prospect to say the least.

Pilotlight launched in Scotland in September 2007 and has been building up its team and membership ever since. It engages with local business people and uses their skills to help charities with such things financial management, HR, IT, marketing, PR, change management or fund raising.

They were looking for a new membership and business development manager around the time I left HBOS. It seemed like an intriguing prospect and I was sure I could leverage my connections with local businesses for a completely different purpose.

It might sound like something of a cliché, but after nearly 30 years working in the banking sector, it really felt like an opportunity to give something back to the community.

As well as my knowledge of the corporate sector that I'm able to tap into within the new role, I also have a good understanding of firms' corporate and social responsibility and learning and development programmes, which gives me an advantage in securing new members and developing relationships with existing ones.

We currently have around 60 members in Scotland, and around 20 corporate partners including Adam & Co., Scottish Widows Investment Partnership, HBOS, Lloyds TSB Scotland, and number of individuals (from various industries) have joined off their own back.

The indications we're getting from our corporate members is that they're likely to send more people to Pilotlight, as they view it as a real and effective tool to develop and retain their staff. It's a chance to work with other senior people from other businesses, and it's for a good cause.

One consequence of the economic downturn is that some organisations have felt it necessary to cut the hours of their employees. This has meant that we've seen an increase in the number of people joining us without a corporate sponsor, and we really welcome their contribution.

I've been in the job for a couple of months now and am thoroughly enjoying the change of environment. The business people I have spoken to have been hugely attracted to the Pilotlight proposition. The difference I make is quickly evident and I feel that the long term effect on local people can be life changing.

Graeme Powrie is membership and business development manager at Pilotlight Scotland and can be contacted on gpowrie@pilotlight.org.uk. For more information visit: https://www.pilotlight.org.uk/