Episode 75 - Mark Atkinson - Director General for the Royal British Legion

Rethinking Charity Leadership: Bold Strategies for a New Era

We speak to Mark Atkinson, Director General for the Royal British Legion

Join us for an insightful conversation with Mark Atkinson, Director General of the Royal British Legion, as he reflects on his first 100 days and beyond in this pivotal role.

In this game-changing episode, Mark shares fresh perspectives from his transition to the Royal British Legion in January 2024, tackling the big questions facing the sector:

• How can a 100+ year old institution like the Royal British Legion stay relevant in today's rapidly changing world?

• What does strategy development look like when balancing rich heritage with the need for innovation?

• How is the charity sector evolving post-pandemic, and what challenges lie ahead?

• How can the sector rediscover its mojo and innovate after the challenges of lockdown and and the ongoing cost of living crisis?

Drawing on his experiences at the Royal British Legion, RNID, and Scope, Mark offers a candid look at:

• Practical approaches to evidence-gathering and stakeholder engagement in strategy development

• Addressing 'small-c conservatism' in the charity sector to drive meaningful change

• Navigating leadership challenges in a post pandemic, changing workforce, particularly addressing the expectations of younger employees entering the sector

• The importance of making tough decisions to ensure long-term organisational success

• Strategies for reinvigorating the sector and finding new energy in the face of ongoing challenges

Mark discusses how charities can maintain their focus on evidence and delivery while carving out time to think creatively about the future, even in challenging times.

Whether you're a trustee, CEO, emerging leader, or passionate about the future of charities, this episode offers invaluable insights into the realities of leading major charities through periods of significant change. Tune in now to challenge your assumptions and join the conversation about why, and how, the future of the sector needs to look different to the present.

Zoe and Paul also discuss National Podcast Day the week we launch our 75th episode!

 

Notes

The Royal British Legion
https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/

 

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Editing and production - Syren Studios with Paul Thomas

Music by Joseph McDade https://josephmcdade.com/music

Full transcript of this episode (srt file)

Full transcript of this episode (.txt file)

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