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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: From parachuting with the marines to being in charge of a charity

This feature is over 8 years old
 

Steve Conway, chief executive of Erskine, is a former marine who is hoping to integrate the Ministry of Defence and third sector

What's the first thing you do when you arrive at work?
Turn on my computer and check through any early emails and diary appointments.

What is the best thing to have happened in the last month?
Erskine was awarded an honorary degree for our work with veterans over the past 100 years by the University of Glasgow and I had the honour of collecting it.

And what is the worst?
Dealing with a complaint from a relative of one of our residents.

I don't scare easily but I never felt comfortable parachuting at night when I served in the Royal Marines.

Do we do enough for our veterans?
Overall our veterans are well supported but there is still unmet need in the treatment of mental health illness and housing.

What more would you like to see done?
Closer integration between MOD, the public and third sectors so those in need do not get lost during transition from the armed forces to civilian life.

What are you working on just now?
We are looking how we might extend the range of our services to potentially include supported housing provision and also a day centre where veterans living in their own homes can meet to avoid the social isolation experienced by some.

How often do you socialise with colleagues outside the Christmas party?
Not as often as I would like as we all have busy lives with families and outside interests to consider.

What was the last thing you did that scared you?
I don't scare easily but I never felt comfortable parachuting at night when I served in the Royal Marines.

What's your favourite album?
I enjoy lots of music from my youth so I guess Neil Diamond's Greatest hits

How many hours do you normally work in a week?
As many as the job requires which can include attending evening and weekend events.

How did you end up in your job?
I was approached by a recruitment agency who knew of my military and NHS experience and I was fortunate to be selected at interview.

Is this a step on the ladder to success or your final destination?
I'm 60 next year and still have things I'd like to achieve at Erskine so expect this will be my last full time job.

Which Brian Cox?
Brian Cox the physicist for his passion and ability to explain complex issues.

 

Comments

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Owen Fielding
about 8 years ago
Thank you for these features. They are both interesting and informative, and a great way of learning from other execs/CEOs.
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