Trustee Spotlight: A Business Leader’s Journey into Charity Governance

Simon Smith is Vice Chairman, Sofina Foods (Europe) which includes Youngs Seafood.

He is also charity Trustee of: Cat Zero.

Meet Simon Smith, a seasoned business executive with 35 years of industry experience, who has also plays a vital role as a trustee for CatZero, a charity that uses sailing experiences to transform lives.

From Boardroom to Charity Board

After leading large businesses for 25 years, Simon found himself in a position to step back from daily corporate life. However, his desire to contribute to society remained strong. “I wanted to use my experience to help where I can and give something back to the region that has provided me with my own personal opportunities,” Simon explains.

He chose to support CatZero, drawn by his affinity for the sea and understanding of how maritime experiences can positively impact lives. Simon saw an opportunity to apply his corporate experience to help ensure CatZero’s continued success and longevity.

A Moment of Pride and Humility

When asked about a proud moment, Simon recalls a brand essence workshop that included past programme participants. “Hearing just what an impact, life-saving in some cases, that CatZero had on these participants’ lives was truly humbling and made me realise how lucky I was to be part of an organisation like this,” he shares.

Valuable Skills in Trusteeship

Simon’s strategic thinking and talent management skills have proven invaluable in his trustee role. “I think my experience in thinking beyond the day-to-day challenges in order to identify strategy for the organisation, coupled with growing and recruiting passionate and talented people is the largest contribution I can make.”

Advice for Aspiring Trustees

To those considering trusteeship, Simon offers this insight: “When I first considered and started in this role, I thought that a charity would be completely different to the business world. It’s not, and any mystique about that must be removed. All the mechanics of business apply in exactly the same way, it’s just a different set of stakeholders and undertaking a set of actions, managed and delivered through passionate people in order to achieve a measured outcome.”

Balancing Act

Simon admits that balancing trustee responsibilities with personal commitments can be challenging. His approach involves careful planning of his annual meetings calendar and diarising both commitments and free time to maintain balance.

The Future of Trusteeship

Looking ahead, Simon envisions a more active and recognised role for trustees. He emphasises the importance of attracting high-calibre individuals who can make real contributions. “Regarding skills, there’s no one overriding skill, just the need for skills to be balanced across a group of trustees. For individuals, the ability to manage their time so that they are available to contribute when needed is probably the most important attribute, along with a desire to participate in something highly worthwhile, playing to their own strength and experience.”