From Rocketships to Marathon Runners
Cross-sector success, learning through transitions, and the beauty of hindsight.
A conversation with Neil Gilbert, a social impact professional whose roster includes working within digital agencies, the BBC, Design Council, and Virgin Management, ahead of joining Samaritans for 5 ½ years as their Head of Insight and Innovation.
Neil is a specialist in developing insight-led income and engagement propositions and helping organisations increase their social impact.
Below we discuss the benefits of working (and evolving) in varying capacities, and in strikingly different environments, while reflecting on how to ‘move with purpose’.
Louis: Neil, can you describe the time that you realised a meaningful career was possible?
Was there a sliding door moment, or have you always yearned for purpose in your work?
Neil: Going right back to where it all began, I left school with very few qualifications, and little idea or direction for what was next. I saw an advert for a charity in Brighton which ran community projects across East Sussex that were eager for volunteers, so I took a chance and joined them.
Not too long after, they shared their ambition to set up a social enterprise, and invited me into the fold. I didn’t know what a social enterprise was, but I liked the idea (and I liked Brighton).
“ It felt like an amazing prospect, by this point, I’d already felt a sense of fulfilment by seeing the positive social impact that I was having, and I could tell that I had entrepreneurial tendencies in me.
The best part was discovering all of this before my friends had started university! “
Louis: I think it’s remarkable how you’ve traversed across the commercial and charity sectors throughout your career, and we’ll get into that.
Can you first share insight into any moments that you realised you were ‘not in Kansas anymore’?!
Neil: Yes, I can give you two, which are worlds apart!
The first is being involved with Virgin Galactic, the one where they send people into space, listening to their astronauts describing the challenge of commercialising space flight and talking about all things space and exploration.
The second must be from my time at Samaritans, where their Head of Community and Events and I donned matching 118 118 costumes to launch a virtual marathon for our prospective runners.
“ This initiative saw us raise over £1m while also engaging over 10k people.
It was a very special moment. ”
Louis: I imagine it’s a scenario where you’re grateful that the outcome paid off, literally, a means to an end! Fundraising teams do have fun sometimes.
Neil: They sure do! *laughs*.
Louis: How has this eclectic, sector-spanning exposure benefitted your development and output?
Neil: After going to university as a mature student but still early in my career, I upskilled through various digital agencies, which was great, fast-paced, and exciting! I also learned how to pitch (sell), write proposals, and ‘read the room’, before moving to the BBC for a year, adopting ‘brand thinking’ and a real approach to thinking ‘digitally’ when delivering marketing, campaigns and across websites - Keep in mind this was pre-social media!
“ It wasn’t until joining the Design Council, a huge point in my career, that I started to feel empowered with how I could harness my commercial skillset and integrate it with a more structured approach to innovation - essentially, design-led product and service development. ”
Neil: We delivered some really, impactful programmes, one in particular with the Department of Health and NHS where we introduced products into hospitals that reduced the risk of serious infections.
Louis: Fantastic, more often than not it comes back to those transferable skills.
Neil: Absolutely, and I want to say that it was only looking back in hindsight, that it all made sense.
“ At the time, with each step, I was moving more with a sense of curiosity and interest, without necessarily thinking how one role might compliment the next. “
Louis: So, your career trajectory wasn’t part of a prophesied, grand plan?!
Neil: No, not at all, looking back it might seem that way as I’ve been able to utilise and strengthen my skills each time, however in the moment, it was a lot less obvious.
I explored the opportunities that arose, and reflected on the environments that worked for me, as much as the ones that didn’t!
“ Something that’s definitely helped in steering my career is looking around at ‘what the world is telling me’, as well as tapping into my networks, and reconnecting with those relationships that felt productive, and whose perspective I value.
Reconnecting over a call/coffee more informally over the years genuinely helped me get a sense of ‘what might be next ”
Louis: And there we have it, plenty of pearls of wisdom for our readers!
I believe that many forget just how valuable the knowledge and perspective of their peers are, and how powerful networks can be.
We’re in a world of connectivity, right? So let’s connect...
Neil: “ Absolutely, and more often than not, people are happy to hear from you and have you reach out! “
Louis: What advice do you have for someone who is contemplating shifting sectors/capacities (in any sense) whether to upskill, gain a refreshed and/or challenging perspective etc?
It can be a fearful proposition..
Neil: Finding a way forward that’s true to yourself, is key. Knowing your values, and the values that matter to you is a must, whether your value is to find purpose, upskill, gain mentorship etc.
“ Start searching, do your research and identify the organisations that make those values come to life. A big part of it all is being reflective, and understanding what works/what hasn’t. ”
Louis: A core part of innovation, if I’m not wrong!
Neil: For sure, and also doing your research, and being proactive.
“ Seek opportunities, put yourself in the room, and get a feel for what’s happening across other industries and sectors. This will also help develop your network. “
Louis: And finally… what is a consistent purpose that you have when considering your next move?
Neil: I have worked with charities, social enterprises, start-ups, and commercial companies in connecting their colleagues, customers, and beneficiaries with their purpose.
“ For me, regardless of the outfit of the organisation, what matters to me is my ability to make a real difference and have a positive impact, whatever I’m doing. ”
Please feel free to follow and connect with Neil Gilbert via LinkedIn
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