The Charity Changemakers Podcast

In this episode of the Charity Changemakers Podcast, Adam is joined by Ru Watkins, Chief Executive of Hamelin, a learning disability and autism charity growing rapidly across Essex and East Anglia. Ru brings a career unlike most in the sector. After 23 years in the British Army, he moved into corporate roles with BT and others before a phone call from a headhunter changed his direction entirely. T...

What does Formula One have to teach the charity sector about impact? Quite a lot, as it turns out. In this episode of the Charity Changemakers Podcast, Adam is joined by Rushab Shah, founder and CEO of OneHive, a tech for good organisation helping youth charities streamline their admin and scale their impact. Rushab's route to the sector is anything but conventional. After studying mechanical engi...

In this episode of the Charity Changemakers Podcast, Adam is joined by Callum Dixon, Director of Service Delivery and Member Support at Citizens Advice, for a candid and reflective conversation about a career built on stepping into the unknown. Callum's journey started with a semi-dismissal at a law firm drinks reception that inadvertently pointed him toward Citizens Advice as a volunteer. From th...

Adam is joined by Jess Camburn-Rahmani, Chief Executive of Cerebra, a UK charity supporting children and families living with brain conditions. Jess takes us on a fascinating career journey from a VSO placement with an indigenous communities NGO in Uganda, to community development in Swansea, to building Elrha (a humanitarian innovation organisation) from a single grant into a 40-staff organisatio...

In this episode of the Charity Changemakers Podcast, Adam is joined by Rob Avann, charity consultant, interim leader and seasoned trustee, for a conversation that gets into the real nuts and bolts of charity governance - and why so many organisations are still getting it wrong. With 20 years in the sector, eight years as a permanent CEO, a spell as interim CEO, and 16 years across five trustee boa...

In this episode of the Charity Changemakers Podcast, Adam is joined by Jonny Cobbold, Director of Development at Change Mental Health , a Scottish mental health charity supporting around 12,000 people a year. Jonny brings rare candour to the conversation, sharing his own lived experience with mental health, the career pivot that changed everything, and what it really takes to lead with consistency...

In this episode of the Charity Changemakers Podcast, Adam is joined by Lee Barnett, Chief Encourager of Sandy Bear Children's Bereavement Charity, for a warm and candid conversation about life, leadership and supporting bereaved children and families across Wales. Lee shares a career journey that began in catering, moved through NHS dementia care, youth work with the Red Cross and public health co...

In this episode of the Charity Changemakers Podcast, Adam Stacey speaks with Kit Powney, Head of Digital Maturity at Tearfund. Kit shares her journey from campaigning and advocacy into digital strategy, and explains how charities can approach digital transformation in a practical and thoughtful way. The conversation explores how technology, data and AI are reshaping the sector, but also why strate...

Paul Griffiths, CEO of the Association for Cultural Enterprises, shares his career journey in the charity sector, from his role at English Heritage to becoming the Director of Painshill Park. He discusses the impact of COVID-19 and the importance of leadership during challenging times. The conversation covers a range of topics, including adapting to change and implementing safety measures, the rol...

In this episode of the Charity Changemakers Podcast , Adam is joined by Ben Drabble , Chief Executive of Train , to explore a refreshingly honest charity career journey - from international mission, to fundraising leadership, to local youth work on his doorstep. Ben shares how he stepped into his first Director role through a pure job share model - one inbox, one calendar, total trust - and why jo...

Step into the world of portfolio careers with Rob Green, as he shares his journey from street fundraising to leading digital transformation projects. In this episode, Adam Stacey explores how Rob built a career that spans both charity and commercial sectors. Get insights on resilience, the growing role of technology in fundraising, and the importance of networking and personal branding. Discover R...

In this powerful episode of The Charity Changemakers Podcast , Adam Stacey speaks with Howard Taylor , Chief Executive of Lumos Foundation — the global charity founded to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, loving family . Howard’s story spans the corridors of government, corporate boardrooms, and the United Nations. From his early years in India to leading international development effort...

In this episode of  The Charity Changemakers Podcast , Adam Stacey speaks with  David Knott , Chief Executive of  The National Lottery Community Fund  — the UK’s largest grant-maker, awarding more than  £700 million last year to over 12,000 community projects . David reflects on his career across public service, including time in the Prime Minister’s office, and shares what he’s learned since step...

In this episode of the Charity Changemakers podcast, Adam Stacey speaks with Claire House-Norman, Director and Fundraising Consultant at the Philanthropy Company. With more than three decades of experience in the charitysector, Claire reflects on her journey from community fundraising to major donor engagement and into consultancy. She highlights the power of relationship-building, the need for ag...

In this episode of The Charity Changemakers Podcast, Adam Stacey speaks with Greg Allen, Chief Executive of Devon Air Ambulance and Professor of Practice (Leadership) at Exeter University Business School. Greg shares his fascinating, non-linear career journey spanning financial services, the military, the NHS, and now the charity sector. He reflects on lessons learned from three decades of leaders...

In this episode of The Charity Changemakers Podcast, Adam Stacey speaks with Mary Comont, Director of People at UCCF: The Christian Unions. Mary shares her "squiggly" career journey — from volunteering with a sailing charity as a teenager, to roles in fundraising, project management, and HR, culminating in her current senior leadership position. She reflects on the importance of values-driven work...

In this episode of The Charity Changemakers Podcast, Adam Stacey speaks with Caroline Herman, founder of All Yours – a social enterprise tackling period poverty and menstrual equity across the UK. What started as a heartfelt conversation in the car with her daughter turned into a fast-growing community-led initiative that now supports thousands. Caroline shares the origin story of All Yours , how...

In this episode of  The Charity Changemakers Podcast , Adam Stacey is joined by Matt Hyde, Chief Executive of the Lloyds Bank Foundation. Matt shares his inspiring journey from growing up above a family business rooted in community service, to leading major organisations like the Scouts and the National Union of Students, and now driving systemic change as a funder. They explore the power of commu...

S2 | E9 – Sophie Castell on leadership, storytelling, and switching from Coca-Cola to charity Episode summary In this special edition of  The Charity Changemakers Podcast , Adam Stacey speaks with Sophie Castell, Chief Executive of Myeloma UK, in honour of  Myeloma Awareness Week . Sophie shares her journey from a high-flying commercial role at Coca-Cola to leading a national charity that’s transf...

In this episode of The Charity Changemakers Podcast , Adam Stacey speaks with Tarn Bright, Co-Chief Executive of Home for Good and Safe Families. With honesty, laughter and depth, Tarn shares a remarkable personal and professional journey that spans foster care, homelessness, the corporate world, and now charity leadership. From sofa surfing at 16 to leading a major merger in the children’s sector...

In this episode of The Charity Changemakers Podcast , Adam Stacey sits down with Hilary Evans-Newton , Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK , for a conversation packed with vision, candour and big ideas. Hilary reflects on her early days in campaigning and advocacy, and how a bold strategic reset helped shape one of the UK’s most ambitious and fast-growing medical research charities. From na...

In this episode of  The Charity Changemakers Podcast , Adam Stacey chats with Rhonda Nicklin, Chief Executive of  Swings and Smiles  – a charity supporting disabled children and their families through inclusive play and respite care. Rhonda shares how her background in nursing and her lived experience as a parent led her into the charity sector. From service user to CEO, she unpacks the power of p...

In this inspiring episode of The Charity Changemakers Podcast, host Adam Stacey sits down with Mary Oakes, Chief Executive of Opportunity International UK, to explore her fascinating journey from studying equine science to leading a global development charity focused on financial inclusion. Mary shares how she “fell into fundraising,” why mentorship and international fieldwork have shaped her lead...

In this episode of  Charity Changemakers , we’re joined by Raakhi Shah, CEO of  The Circle  – a global feminist organisation founded by singer and activist Annie Lennox. Raakhi shares her inspiring journey through the charity sector, starting with her early work at Oxfam and UNICEF, and leading to her current role championing women’s rights across the globe. Raakhi reflects on her leadership journ...

In this episode of  Charity Changemakers , we have the pleasure of hearing from  Phil Kerry , the CEO of  New Horizon Youth Centre , who takes us through his inspiring journey from a mathematics teacher to a leader in the charity sector tackling youth homelessness in London. Phil opens up about the challenges he’s faced in his career, particularly the pressures of leading through times of crisis,...