In this episode, I’m joined by Philip Goodwin, CEO of VSO, an organisation whose purpose is to create a fair world for everyone. As you will hear, he’s thought deeply about how to develop and use strategy effectively in very uncertain environments, and about the type of leadership needed when you have big ambitions but it’s not clear how you will achieve them. Join me for this episode full of wisdom and practical advice.
VSO’s purpose is to create a fair world for everyone. Created over 60 years ago, they are an international development agency that works using a Volunteering for Development (VfD) method to support the most vulnerable and marginalised to achieve their rights and bring about lasting change.
They do that by focusing on those who are left out by society – those living in extreme poverty, or with disability and illness. Those who face discrimination and violence because of their gender, sexuality or social status. Those who are at risk from disaster, disease, and conflict.
VSO works in the areas of education, health, livelihoods and conflict resolution across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and South-East Asia. Last year, their programmes reached over 8m people. https://www.vsointernational.org/
Dr Philip Goodwin is currently the Chief Executive of Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) a post he has held since 2015. He has built a wealth of international experience with a range of organisations - including VSO, Tree Aid and British Council - working in countries across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and South-East Asia.
Having held two Chief Executive roles as well as senior executive roles at British Council, Dr Goodwin has considerable strategic and operational leadership experience in the not-for-profit sector. His work has had a particular focus on delivering complex programmes in high-risk environments and working with volunteers.
He has held a number of non-executive roles across a range of legal jurisdictions including Germany, Australia, the USA and UK. He is currently a non-executive Director of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute which is the organisation that saves lives at Sea, providing sea rescue in the UK and Ireland.
He is the co-author of the leadership book “From Hippos to Gazelles: How Leaders Create Leaders” with the leadership coach, Tony Page. This shares their experience of a leader and a facilitator working together on an organisational merger.
Philip Goodwin