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The voice of Scotland’s vibrant voluntary sector

Published by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

TFN is published by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BB. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registration number SC003558.

Chief encounters: Ewan Aitken is not a fan of dictators

This feature is over 9 years old
 

​Find out what Ewan Aitken, chief executive of Edinburgh Cyrenians, thinks about personal success and who he thinks is in the wrong job

What time do you wake up?
6am

What is your morning routine?
Mediation, ablutions, make breakfast and packed lunches for the kids, find the various items they need for school that they can't find but wait until three minutes before we leave to tell me they've lost them, cycle to school with my daughter and then on to the office.

What’s the first thing you do when you arrive at work?
Talk to colleagues.

What are you working on just now?
This questionnaire ... and two new social enterprises.

How many hours do you normally work in a day?
Anywhere from seven to 14.

Chief encounters: Ewan Aitken is not a fan of dictators

Personal success is a false dawn – I am as content as I've ever been – that's what matters to me

Do you have too many meetings?
Probably – but the alternative (decision by dictate and/or non communication) seems worse really.

If you were your boss would you like you?
I hope so.

Is this a step on the rung to success or your final destination?
Personal success is a false dawn – I am as content as I've ever been – that's what matters to me.

Have you got thoughts on what you will do when you retire?
No idea what that word means.

Should there be a cap on charity chief executive pay?
Anyone in this for the money alone is in the wrong job.

Is it better to work for a big charity or a small charity?
Both have benefits so I'd do either.

What advice would you give to your 22-year-old self?
Don't let the past define your future.

What’s your favourite film?
Shawshank Redemption

Brian Denis Cox or Brian Edward Cox? ​
Brian Edward Cox – we need more scientists that can talk about complex ideas in straightforward ways.