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TIME FOR A CHANGE
Convinced it was time for a change, Colin Bayley left the familiar world of the City in 2003 to set up Growth Matters, a specialist business development, communications and marketing consultancy. Determined to take on challenges in sectors that were new to him but at a loss to know where to start, he was put in touch with PrimeTimers.
“I had always been interested in education and the third sector but had limited experienced in both of them. PrimeTimers was able to provide me with the information, support and contacts I needed to change sectors and develop my business” Colin explained.
Since becoming a member of PrimeTimers in 2004, Colin has been involved in diverse range of projects including setting up and managing the Angela Vivien Award for social entrepreneurs for the Royal Society of Arts and Community Action Network; mentoring Adam Nichols, Chief Executive of youth leadership NGO, Changemakers; helping to set up a student led social enterprise at an Islington school and working as business manager for Andrew Mawson, leading social entrepreneur and founder of the acclaimed Bromley by Bow Centre.
With Andrew, and other partners, he has also been involved in the launch of Water City , a visionary plan which could see east London become London 's Amsterdam . “I have derived a huge amount of satisfaction from using my core skills to enable organisations to move forward in a way that they otherwise may not have been able to afford,” Colin continued.
PrimeTimers director Brent Thomas said: “The organisations that Colin has been involved with have received significant additional benefits. In addition to getting someone highly experienced running the awards scheme, the RSA and CAN also had someone with the authority to just get on with the job. At Changemakers, the diversity of his business background and experience was invaluable in supporting and guiding Adam through a difficult time taking over as Chief Executive, and then managing major internal change”.
“If you are thinking about a career change, PrimeTimers can offer a real springboard into new areas and ventures” Colin added. “It can broker deals for you, help you to understand and embrace the different attitudes and approaches that exist in different sectors and, most valuable of all, has a far reaching established network of people and organisations that span the entire third sector.
“The advice I would give to anyone contemplating a cross sectoral move, is to be proactive, get out there and meet people - you never know where a meeting will lead. Be confident that your skills and abilities can transfer and be of value. And lastly, be prepared to take your jacket off and get stuck in! If you can do that then there are opportunities out there that will bring you real personal and professional satisfaction, and that's worth working for”.
