Adoring readers, as summer seems to have downed tools this week (in the south of England at least), let Society Diary bring you a ray of sunshine in the form of a quick-fire interview with NCVO head honcho Sarah Elliott (formerly Vibert).
I know what you are thinking: “Hasn’t Diary just interviewed two other sector leaders called Sarah (Mind CEO Hughes and Asthma + Lung boss Sleet)? Will Diary not rest until it has asked 10 trivial questions to every person named Sarah in the charity sector?"
In truth, the hattrick of Sarahs is purely coincidental. And to be fair, reader, we did warn you earlier this year that one in five charity sector folk is named Sarah or David. But for the record, Diary would be happy to hold any charity leader’s feet to the fire, no matter their first name.
You can read our exchange with Sarah Elliott below, which includes tales of serenading King Charles, school rugby coaching and cycling comradery.
Sarah Elliott, how are you?
“I am counting down the hours to the end of the school holidays. It’s been a lovely summer having time off with the kids, but I love the back-to-school feeling and we are all ready for a return to routine. It hasn’t been a quiet summer at work either – I don’t think a quiet August exists anymore.
“The NCVO team has been busy getting to know the new government – it was so exciting to meet Lisa Nandy so soon after the election. We’ve also been supporting members in relation to the riots that we saw across the country, working closely with government. I am so proud of the NCVO team and how they step up and respond to need in communities.”
As a proud northerner living down south, what do you miss most about where you grew up?
“Can I have three things? The sea – I grew up in Scarborough, so I miss being able to just go swim in the sea whenever I want. The accents – I love it when I get off the train in York and get hit by the wave of Yorkshire accents. My school friends – the four girls I met on my first days at school are still my best friends and we chat on WhatsApp almost every day. They think I am weird for living down south!”
Who are more difficult to manage, NCVO’s staff or your sons’ rugby team?
“Ha ha, well given the rugby team are six year olds, a lot of managing them involves tying shoelaces, and warming up cold hands. One of the things I love about rugby coaching is standing outside on a Sunday encouraging a group of children to stand in a defensive line and remember to pass backwards.
“It could not be further from being a charity CEO – it’s a great mental and physical refresh from the week. Although, the NCVO staff are fantastic – the sector is so lucky to have such a dedicated team supporting them.”
You previously worked with both King Charles and Ken Livingston – who has the best sense of humour?
“The Prince of Wales (as he was then) for definite! The ability of the royal family to put people at ease and talk to anyone is just incredible, and humour is part of that. One memory I have of Clarence House was when HRH turned 64, we all went to stand at the bottom of the stairs and sang When I’m 64 by the Beatles as he came down the stairs. He found that very funny.
“When I was working for the mayor of London, I was working on Crossrail, so probably not as many jokes you can make about a new tube line. It was pretty incredible to see the Elizabeth Line open, knowing I’d worked on the policy that got the Department of Transport to agree to it all those years ago.”
Who works harder, people in the charity sector or local government?
“Neither job is easy right now. Local government has become an important ally to the voluntary sector in lobbying government, as properly funding local government is in the interests of charities too.
“So much of the sector is funded to deliver local government services, but contracts have not kept pace with inflation and many charities are struggling to carry on to deliver. It is communities who suffer when services close. What both people in the charity sector and government have in common is a commitment to serving communities.”
If you had to give up yoga or cycling, which would it be?
“I’d give up yoga for sure. I have only been practicing yoga for a few years and love learning new postures (side crow anyone?) but cycling has been my passion for over two decades. I am never happier than cycling down (or up!) a hill in the open countryside, on a nice sunny day, stopping for cake in a café on the way. I’ve recently moved to a village just outside Cambridge so am having lots of fun discovering new roads and cafes.”
Which TV show is your biggest guilty pleasure?
“I hardly watch TV but am enjoying Emily in Paris on Netflix right now. The first half of the new season just came out, so I binged that a couple of evenings last week.”
When did you last speak to a stranger?
“My job means I have to talk to people I don’t know every day. It’s one of the things I love most about it, getting to find out what motivates people and understand their world view. But out of work, it’s sort of the unspoken rule that you always say hello to other cyclists when you pass them, and when you stop in a café you ask about where they’ve come from and get a bit geeky with bike chat.”
Cats or dogs?
“This is a hard one as I love all animals and really hope to get a dog when my kids are a little older. Although Bella and Bertie my two elderly cats might be a bit upset if I chose dogs so let’s say cats.”
If AI somehow made all charity jobs redundant, how would you spend your time instead?
“I would train to be a yoga instructor and set up a hot yoga studio in Majorca, with a cycling café on the side.”
