Gluttonous readers, welcome back to another rapid-fire Q&A from the people’s charity sector interviewer – your old chum Society Diary.
This week, Diary met its match as it locked horns with former ACEVO boss and executive director of the newly launched Gradel Institute of Charity at New College, Oxford, Sir Stephen Bubb.
Read on to see Bubb’s witty retorts to questions about his Tuscan lifestyle, failure to enter the House of Lords and an old feud with a fellow charity sector knight of the realm.
Congratulations on your marriage in Edinburgh last year – do you think bagpipes would improve some of our charity conferences?
“Certainly not. My partner is Scottish and he wanted bagpipes. By contrast I chose Mozart's Coronation Mass for our nuptials. Would go well at an Acevo conference.”
How do you feel about people who studied at Cambridge visiting the Gradel Institute at your alma mater, Oxford University?
“I welcome them warmly and show them my wonderful tower. They can but marvel at how we do erections better in Oxford.”
Twelve years ago, you were incorrectly called Lord Bubb of Charlbury – are you disappointed not to have been made a Lib Dem peer since?
“I am far too modest and humble to suggest the nation needs Lord Bubb of Charlbury. I would sit as a Labour peer however. There is still time!”
You once famously called Sir Stuart Etherington “a silly wally” – do you think ACEVO and NCVO are too pally these days?
“Did I? How disgraceful. My good friend Sir Stuart and I got on so well we even ended up with houses in the same small Tuscan hill village where we would drink wine, eat pasta and bemoan the state of sector leadership since the two of us stood down.”
What, if anything, do you miss about the UK when you are staying at your house in Casoli?
“Well it's not the weather. But I do miss the wonderful Charlbury deli and cafe. And of course the high table meals at New College.”
If you hadn’t forged a career in the charity sector, what other profession would you have chosen?
“A cabinet minister.”
Have you ever regretted taking part in a charity fundraising event?
“No. In fact, I'm currently fundraising for a further $3m for the Gradel Institute. Any offers?”
You previously wrote Bubb’s Blog on the charity sector – would you consider relaunching it as a Bubbcast (audio) or Bubbavision (video)?
“I loved writing the blog and enjoyed even more the parody blog that it spawned. I'm sure there must be scope for me to spread more wisdom through new channels.”
You were once a negotiations officer at the National Union of Teachers – is there anything charity leaders could learn from headteachers?
“Well, the art of negotiation is a crucial tool for a chief executive. My dad was a head teacher I must've learnt things from him!”
And finally, if you could go back in time, to what year would you travel?
“1972 – the year I arrived in Oxford as a beautiful and charming youth with a golden future in front of me. I'm still charming though, just somewhat decrepit at 72.”
