ELBA’s Leaders in Partnership programme is a 1:1 coaching programme where community leaders get partnered with volunteer coaches from the corporate sector. Here we catch up with Kellie Pyke, Operations Director at Financial Reporting Council (seconded to the UK Accounting Standards Endorsement Board), who was partnered with Mathew Scott, CEO of Thames Life, to hear about their respective experiences of this programme:

MATHEW SCOTT, CEO, THAMES LIFE:

Matthew Scott is the Director of Thames Life, a Community Development Trust which works with the people of Barking Riverside to tackle local issues, and involves and engages local people in driving change for good. Matt’s background is in urban regeneration, both in funded government initiatives, but also as the Assistant Director at Voluntary Action Lewisham and he has held senior positions in this field as well as lecturing at London Metropolitan and Goldsmiths Universities.

Why did you engage with ELBA’s Leaders in Partnership programme?
As an experienced senior director, I was actively looking to be matched with someone with a wealth of experience and level of seniority.

What has been your biggest learning from the experience so far?
I was very well matched with Kellie. The experience has been really good. I get very strong, high quality support from Kellie. As a leader of a small charity there is very little support, and her experience and insight has given me the support I’ve never had in over 30 years in this field.

Has anything surprised you along the way?
Kellie’s genuine interest in the detail of my work and the many challenges really stands out. I don’t get the space to reflect and be mentored in my day-to-day work, so this is invaluable.

Have there been any specific outcomes that have been achieved as a result of the partnership?
I have particularly appreciated being able to focus on organisational risk management, governance and the importance of safeguards and recruitment of high-quality leaders.

What would be your top piece of advice for someone considering taking part in the programme?
The conversations have enabled me to talk about issues and challenges in an open way, at my own pace.

Is there anything else you would like to share?
I really appreciated Kellie’s awareness of personal and professional development and her coaching style.

KELLIE PYKE, OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, FINANCIAL REPORTING COUNCIL (SECONDED TO THE UK ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ENDORSEMENT BOARD)

Kellie Pyke is the Operations Director of the UK Accounting Standards Endorsement Board, the UK’s national standard setter for International Financial Reporting Standards. Kellie supported the setting up of the UKEB and works with the Board, and internal and external stakeholders, to ensure that the organisation operates within a robust operational framework that supports the Board in achieving its strategic objectives. Kellie is a chartered accountant with many years of experience working internationally in finance and operational roles, in both professional services and financial services. This experience gives Kellie a senior level overview of many aspects of business.

Organisation you are volunteering with: Thames Life

Why did you engage with ELBA’s Leaders in Partnership programme?
I have been volunteering for many years, in various roles with different charities. I find it rewarding and I gain new insights. I have previous experience of mentoring and coaching as both mentor and mentee and so I’ve experienced, first hand, the positive outcomes that can be achieved by this kind of programme.

What has been your biggest learning from the experience so far?
I have gained a greater insight into the pressures and support needs of senior executives in relatively small charities that do not have the kind of extensive support framework that is often taken for granted in larger organisations. I have enjoyed my monthly meetings with Matt, over these past 10 months, and have a great deal of admiration for what he and his team is achieving. I have found it very interesting to learn about the charity that Matt leads and the community it serves. Matt’s dedication and commitment to working with the local community to achieve positive outcomes is evident in all of our conversations.

Has anything surprised you along the way?
I expected the programme to be rewarding and it has been. It’s absolutely something that is worth investing time in doing. ELBA was very supportive and ensured that the matching process was quick and simple. I’ve greatly enjoyed participating in the programme and would definitely recommend it to others.

Have there been any specific outcomes that have been achieved as a result of the partnership?
As a senior executive, Matt has a wealth of knowledge and experience. Our meetings have given Matt an opportunity to talk through particular challenges, share ideas and experiences and time to reflect.

What would be your top piece of advice for someone considering taking part in the programme?
Just do it. It’s incredibly rewarding. There will always be competing priorities on your time but the key is to agree what will work best in both yours and your community partner’s schedule and diarise the series of meetings in advance. Of course there needs to be flexibility but the aim is to stick to agreed meeting times as much as possible.