Chris is a solicitor and worked for 32 years until April 2022 at CMS, the last 23 as a partner. He advised on M&A and other corporate transactions with a particular focus in the financial services and fintech sectors.
Tell us about your journey with Pilotlight.
I became a Pilotlighter in 2010. I was introduced to Pilotlight by a friend who was then a trustee. I have always been a personal member, though for a short period my firm also became a Partner Business of Pilotlight’s and a number of my then partners worked on Pilotlight programmes. I am currently working on my 11th or 12th Pilotlight 360 project.
Why did you become a Pilotlighter?
I was attracted by the idea of contributing experience and skills to charities and becoming more closely involved with them through the Pilotlight 360 programme. It worked and I have kept coming back.
What has been your biggest challenge?
While I was working, it was sometimes difficult to manage time to be available, and not to be distracted by other matters while engaged on Pilotlight business. However, clearing that time and concentrating on challenges the charities were facing, which were completely discrete from the rest of my workload, was undoubtedly beneficial to me.
What’s surprised you most?
When I first started as a Pilotlighter I was surprised that what seemed obvious or glib questions or proposals I (and others) made could actually provide a really helpful fresh perspective in this context.
What’s your proudest moment?
I worked with one Partner Charity where we spent some time contingency planning for the loss of its biggest funding contract which was up for renewal. Shortly after the programme finished that funding was in fact lost, but the charity survived and has thrived since. The CEO was kind enough to credit the Pilotlight experience with helping to give them the tools to get through the crisis.
Tell us the impact Pilotlight has had on you, both personally and professionally.
I have taken a lot of personal satisfaction from my involvement, have developed my mentoring skills and learned a lot about business planning skills.
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?
It is important to listen and to prompt, but also not to try to solve problems yourself. That can be a difficult discipline for those whose day jobs require them to overcome issues and move on. Pilotlight is a mentoring rather than an advisory or executive programme.
Describe being a Pilotlighter in three words.
Useful without interfering.
