Mary De la Peña MBE, chief executive of Children’s University Scotland, emphasises the importance of recognising charities exist to enhance and support, rather than replace statutory provision
What is your morning routine?
The only essential part of my morning routine is a pot of loose-leaf Yorkshire tea.
How many hours do you normally work in a day?
As a charity that has ambition to have a presence across the whole of Scotland, my role inevitably involves a lot of travelling (preferably by train so I can at least work at the same time), which clocks up the hours. However I do try and practise what I say to my team about the importance of a healthy life-work balance.
What do you like most about your office?
Our office is dog-friendly so we are sometimes joined by my elderly pet Zorro, who not only provides a calming influence as he snoozes in the corner, but also insists that we take a break at lunchtime for a stroll in Princes Street Gardens.
I don’t think I could better my current role, so I plan to do my very best to achieve as much as I can and leave on a high note when the time is right
Mary with Zorro
What’s your favourite album?
Tough call, but I think it has to be Mark Knoplfer’s Screenplaying, as my husband and I picked two tracks from that to play at our wedding in 2014, so it has a very special place in my playlist.
What do you procrastinate over?
Filing! There is always something far more urgent that takes priority.
How did you end up in your job?
It was my professional experience of managing Children's University within Nottingham Trent University that led to the opportunity to develop and embed Children's University in Scotland, supported by our founder funder, ScottishPower Foundation, whose commitment to our vision enabled us to establish the charity in 2013.
Is this a step on the ladder to success or your final destination?
I never dreamed at this stage in my life that I would have the opportunity to set up a charity from scratch, oversee and lead its growth. I don’t think I could better my current role, so I plan to do my very best to achieve as much as I can and leave on a high note when the time is right to hand over to my successor who will take the charity onwards and upwards.
Is it better to work for a big charity or a small charity?
My only experience has been to work for a small charity, so I would have to say the latter. Working within a small, tightly-networked organisation is incredibly rewarding as we can all share in and celebrate our collective achievements and success.
Are boards the strength of the third sector or a thorn in its side?
Boards are absolutely essential to the success and good governance of any charity; if they are regarded negatively you either have the wrong members on your board or the charity is dysfunctional.
Would we all be better off if charities did more in our society?
I think charities already do a huge amount, and it is important to recognise that they exist to enhance and support, rather than replace statutory provision. Perhaps a more relevant question is whether society recognises the enormous contribution that is made by charities, their supporters and thousands of unsung volunteers across such a diverse and extensive range of good causes.
If you were your boss would you like you?
I think you need to ask my chair of trustees that question! I hope that, as well as fulfilling my role as chief executive, we have established a relationship of trust and openness that certainly I value enormously. When I was first offered the role he asked me whether I could work with him, so I don’t think he would have asked that question if he didn’t think he could get on with me!
What’s the worst job you’ve ever done?
Working as a sales rep for a company that sold hygiene and washroom products: a company car and a trip to New York for hitting targets were the highlights of that job; the downsides were driving hundreds of miles a day and running the gauntlet of working men’s clubs across Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.
Brian Denis Cox or Brian Edward Cox?
Much as I respect Brian Denis Cox the actor, I would have to go with Brian Edward Cox for the way he has enthused a generation to appreciate science with awe and wonder. His approach very much aligns with our ethos for Children’s University: to promote learning that is creative, interactive, questioning, inspirational and, above all, fun!
