Rosi Prescott, chief executive at Central YMCA, the young people’s charity, which has just published its World Of Good report, on what makes her tick.
How many hours do you normally work in a week?
Whatever is needed. I can have my first meeting at 7.30 in the morning and be leaving my last engagement after midnight. I rise early and am often on my emails at 5.30am, in order to keep on top of them. But having said that, I do ensure that I take time out to exercise or keep up with industry peers who become part of your support network, and quite often friends, too.
Is it better to work for a big or a small charity?
Central YMCA is the first charity I have worked for and we are both large and small, in many senses. Central YMCA is medium in size - with over 400 staff - but is made up of four smaller teams each with their own discrete business model.
Through these teams - awarding organisation (YMCA Awards), private training company (YMCA Fit), apprenticeship and funded learning provider (YMCA Training), and one of London’s largest health club (YMCA Club) - we aim to help individuals and organisations to live healthy, happy and more fulfilled lives, through education and wellbeing. This has always been our main aim as an organisation.
As we are both macro and micro, one of our biggest challenges is to retain the benefits of a small company (agility) and those of a larger business (financial stability and brand recognition).
Why do you work in the third sector?
I am not entirely comfortable with that term. Instead, I’d like us to be known as the first sector which demonstrates how innovation, sense of mission and business can come together to benefit society.
Look at the other great charities, for instance - the Youth Sports Trust and Prince’s Trust, for example. What we collectively achieve in the sector is nothing short of extraordinary. I love the challenge of striving for balance between commercial sustainability, ethos and impact.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Being appointed the first female chief executive of Central YMCA was a huge highlight. It is a job I really wanted and one which I was very proud to be offered.
Who is or was your role model?
Emily Pankhurst springs to mind! I admire people who are willing to stand up and be counted. Their beliefs drive them.
Tony Benn also inspires me. He inherited his peerage, which prevented him following his calling as an MP. He continued to stand for election and won, but law dictated the runner up should take the seat. This prompted a change in law allowing renunciation of peerages. He renounced his peerage and continued to serve his community. That’s some commitment.
If you could give one piece of advice what would it be?
Never limit yourself and live slightly outside your comfort zone. In stepping up and out, you grow fastest and could surprise yourself!
How did you end up in your job?
Serendipity. I first came into contact with Central YMCA when it helped me to develop a fitness academy in my health club during the early 90s. The advice and guidance (all gratis!) given by key people within Central YMCA was transformational for me: it showed me what it meant to freely give time and expertise generously for the benefit of individuals and society. It was an epiphany moment which clearly showed me that charitable values can align to sound business goals, and ultimately help individuals and organisations to prosper.
What motivates you?
I am motivated by our mission: to help individuals live healthy, happy and more fulfilled lives. It is such a simple thing, but very powerful. It motivates us to develop a joined up approach to body, mind and spirit.
Would your 18-year-old self be impressed with where you are now?
Absolutely. I didn’t prosper in the school environment and was less than a model pupil for much of the time – often through boredom I think. Having been more or less ‘written off’ when I failed my 11+examination, salvation found me when I was later accepted by Mensa – much to everyone’s shock. Traditional school didn’t prove to be right for me, which is why I am a committed believer that education can and should be made available through alternative pathways. This is why I am so passionate about the apprenticeships route that is opening up so vividly now. If we get them right they will provide the flexibility and freedom for young people to express themselves as individuals and excel in their own unique way.
