#wearetheMCF – David

“I joined the Army straight from school and served for 34 years until 2005. The charity sector seemed a natural choice for a second career as I’d got a lot out of charities as a child, having belonged to the Cubs, Scouts and the Pony Club.

A life in the military is very much about service – the motto at Sandhurst is ‘Serve to Lead’. The charity sector requires a similar approach and I felt it was an opportunity to use whatever skills I’d built up in the Army and put them back into the charity world. My first job in the charity sector was with Canterbury Cathedral, where I learnt a lot about charities, charity governance, trustees and fundraising. I was then approached and asked to put my hat in the ring for the job as Chief Executive of the RMBI (Royal Masonic Benevolence Institution) and was lucky enough to become Chief Executive in May 2008.

I became the Chief Executive of the MCF in 2016. We provide a huge range of support for people who really are in need and we do it with a fantastic group of people. Whether it’s a grant we’ve made, a service we’ve provided or care that we’ve delivered through the RMBI Care Co. – knowing that it’s going to people who really need help is a brilliant feeling. Personally, I’ve worked with all sorts of people and I think we have a fantastic team here that works incredibly hard; it’s hugely rewarding to be part of an organisation like that.”

David,

Chief Executive