1. Where do you work and what is your role?
I work at Which as the Head of Advocacy, I head up a team [involved in] campaigning strategy, public affairs and lobbying. It’s about thinking what we want to change and how.
2. What did you want to be when you were younger?
A jewellery designer, or a gardener
3. What’s the best thing about your job?
Creativity is really important. Working on so many different issues is brilliant – you come in one day and talk to someone about strategy on energy prices, then have meeting with politician about consumer rights. There is an amazing breadth of issues. It’s extremely motivating to work in a way that makes a genuine difference
4. Dispel one myth about working in the third sector.
The idea that everyone is really worthy. People do care deeply about what they want to achieve, people are mission driven but they are normal people!
5. If you weren’t doing what you’re doing now, what would you be doing?
I’d quite like to be a lawyer, I’ve had quite a lot of time with the in-house lawyers, it is really and using the law as a tool to achieve change is really interesting.
6. What has been your greatest achievement to date?
In work, I would say probably the fact I led a campaign that helped millions of people who could have lost money on their endowments mortgages in 2002.
7. Who do you admire the most and why?
I really admire strong women who challenge the status quo… I admire women who enter a traditionally male dominated world to do something
8. What one thing could you not live without?
I wouldn’t want to live without my garden.
9. What is your biggest vice?
Unless it’s illegal I don’t think vices exist really
10. What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
It’s always good to have strong views but sometimes it’s best to think about sharing them, when they pop into your mind.
11. What is the biggest challenge faced by women in the third sector today?
It’s balancing family life and work; I work full time, my husband looks after the kids. On the whole it is still women who will tend to adjust their hours to accommodate a balanced family life. It will remain a challenge to women’s progression and status.
12. What is the moment you would most like to relive?
I won an award for campaigning once, and it was just really fun
13. What advice would you give to someone entering the charity sector?
Try out all the different roles and opportunities it can offer, don’t make an assumption you should stay in one position. if you are coming in young, try it all.
14. Describe the charity sector in three words.
Essential, powerful, responsible
Louise Hanson, Head of Campaigns, Which?
If you would like to take part in a 60 second interview, or want to nominate an interviewee, please contact amy@vanillaventures.co.uk
