Bruce Matthews is a Consultant and Non-Executive Director, working part-time, primarily in the Commercial Real Estate Finance world. His company CM&M Ltd is really just himself. He advises lenders and borrowers on likely debt terms for investing and developing commercial real estate.
Tell us about your journey with Pilotlight.
When I left full time employment in 2014, a friend who was a Pilotlighter told me about Pilotlight, and as he was enjoying it, I thought I’d give it a go. I’m now on my ninth project!
Why did you become a Pilotlighter?
To use my experience to help charities.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Trying to be an effective Pilotlighter via Zoom!
In 2020, due to the pandemic, Pilotlight moved all its project meetings from being in-person to Zoom, and now they are run through a mix of in-person and virtual meetings. It has definitely a learning curve for me!
What’s surprised you most?
How the issues we can help charities with usually boil down to about five main areas: Strategy, Funding and finance, Governance and leadership, Business planning and Measurement.
What’s your proudest moment?
When we finish a Pilotlight 360 project, and the Charity says we’ve done a good job.
Tell us the impact Pilotlight has had on you, both personally and professionally.
I have a much better understanding of the charity sector and feel very lucky that my personal life hasn’t needed the support charities give.
Is there anything you wished you'd known as a first time Pilotlighter? What advice would you give to someone thinking of becoming a Pilotlighter?
Be respectful and listen carefully.
It’s not your charity. Pilotlighter are helping charity leaders to kick some new ideas around, which hopefully helps them improve the way they work.
Describe being a Pilotlighter in three words.
Interesting, challenging, rewarding.
