Louise Barnard

Louise spent the last 20 years working with world-class investment management firm Capital Group leading on business development, client relationship management, and project management.

After a deeply rewarding chapter in the financial sector, she now brings her corporate expertise and personal energy to assist and guide the leadership teams within not-for-profit businesses and charities in increasing their operating effectiveness and revenue generation.

With a life-long interest in wellbeing, connection and the power of compassion, she is particularly passionate about supporting organisations focused on providing education and services for children in relation to their mental health.

Tell us the impact Pilotlight has had on you, both personally and professionally.

Being a Pilotlighter has opened my eyes to the value of my skills and experience outside the financial sector.  I took a big leap to walk away from being an expert in the same company for 20 years and starting again. Working on Pilotlight 360 with LOOK UK, a charity whose vision is a world where young visually impaired people are valued, included and live their best life, has shown me that when you connect values and passion with work, it brings huge amounts of happiness and fulfilment.

With the learnings and exposure this project has given me I have huge enthusiasm and motivation to explore further ways to make a real difference.

Tell us about your journey with Pilotlight.

Having decided to end my career in financial services I was looking for a way to combine my corporate skills and experience with my passion for supporting charities. A brief conversation with a wonderful Dad at my sons’ school opened my eyes to the unique and special work that Pilotlight does, for him ‘it was the most fulfilling and memorable experience’ he’d had.

I wholeheartedly agree, so six months in to my first Pilotlight 360 project with LOOK UK I took on a second project with SNAPS.

Pilotlight has profoundly enriched my life by giving me the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children.

Why did you become a Pilotlighter.

I wanted to learn more about how charities operate, and the challenges they face whilst having an opportunity to use my business skills and make a meaningful impact at a senior strategic level. My first Pilotlight 360 with LOOK UK aligned perfectly with my passion to contribute to making life brighter and better for children.

What has been your biggest challenges?

Witnessing first-hand the hurdles and risks facing LOOK UK, as well as the huge gap between demand and service provision was overwhelming and emotional. I have a deeper appreciation and respect for the leadership and operational teams for their dedication, unwavering positivity and resilience.

What surprised you the most?

How quickly the initial trepidation of what I have to offer and the little I know about how charities operate passed. The value Pilotlighters bring quickly became clear even before the project priorities had been defined. Simply being a confidential sounding board and providing boundaries on time and accountability for deadlines, cannot be overstated.

What was your proudest moment?

At the end of the project reflections, two beautiful quotes from the charity captured what this project has meant to me:

Without this engagement we wouldn’t have been able to get the organisation focused and efficient. The whole process has given us the structure to get where we need to be.

I fell back in love with my work as a result of the progress we’ve made together.

Knowing that I played a part in this was extremely rewarding.

Is there anything you wished you’d known as a first time Pilotlighter?

I started with my eyes open thanks to the wonderful introduction and thorough briefing as well as the perspective, guidance and support from the Pilotlight team I received in the early days.

Describe being a Pilotlighter in three words.

A privilege, enriching, unforgettable.