Lindsay Cordery-Bruce was CEO of NewLinks when she won Leadership in the Voluntary & Not for Profit Sector award in 2015
What did being shortlisted for or winning a Leading Wales Award mean to you?
To be honest I cringed, but that’s just me. I’m not really the sort of person who bigs myself up! However, the nomination represented real validation from my team. As a new leader it marked a stage in my development where I no longer felt like I was playing at it.
Winning the award was a strange but very positive experience for me. The bashful introvert in me hated every minute of it! However, the ambitious leader in me totally loved it! I’d previously found myself leading a charity before I was really ready. Luckily it was the making of me and with the help of a talented team, we turned it all around. I guess the award sent a message to our critics and the people who unhelpfully said we’d only last another 6 months. Although I no longer work at the same organisation, the charity in question has doubled in size and is absolutely thriving 6 years later. The nomination represented real validation from my team. As a new leader it marked a stage in my development where I no longer felt like I was playing at it.
I’m now very proud to be the CEO of The Wallich, helping people affected by homelessness to get off the streets, keep off the streets and access opportunities. This marks a transition from running a relatively small charity with a turnover of about £500k a year, to one of the largest charities in Wales with a turnover of approx. £12ml. My team has increased from 35 people to 371. It’s a much bigger deal but I’m relishing the challenge. Professionally I think my results speak for themselves, but I have no doubt that the award added to my overall credibility.