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The voice of Scotland’s vibrant voluntary sector

Published by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

TFN is published by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BB. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registration number SC003558.

Chief encounters: What does the chief of Inspiring Scotland find inspiring?

This feature is almost 9 years old
 

From running to Guns N' Roses greatest hits to coaching kids cycling on a Saturday morning, Celia Tennant chief executive of Inspiring Scotland is happiest when outdoors

What time do get up and what’s your morning routine?
Normally I’m up at 6am and I head to the gym for circuit training.

What is your perfect weekend?
It involves spending as much time outdoors as possible. I coach cycling every Saturday for the wonderful kids at Clydesdale Colts come rain, hail or shine.

What was the last thing you did that scared you?
The thought of going on the radio recently! Although, it wasn’t as scary as I thought!

What’s your favourite album/film?
Gun’s N' Roses Greatest Hits is my favourite album for running. One of my favourite films is The Name of the Rose.

What advice would you give to your 22-year-old self?
It would have to be take up every opportunity, never look back and live life.

Boards are very much part of the sector and given they are purely voluntary I think the commitment of these individuals has to be regarded as a huge strength. Of course there is always room for improvement.

Is lunch a five minute sandwich at your desk or do you find time for yourself?
It’s definitely normally lunch on the go for me.

What do you procrastinate over?
Not much at work, but at home, it's housework!

You’re home, fully fed with your feet up – which comes first Eastenders or emails?
Well it would never be Eastenders, so it would have to be emails!

Is this a step on the rung to success or your final destination?
I’ve no plans for retirement! I absolutely love my job and feel there is so much more to do and more challenges to be had.

If you were your boss would you like you?
I certainly hope so. I try to be very self-aware and always think about the impact of my actions on people. I was delighted to win the Institute of Directors award for family flexible working recently, and hopefully this is an example of my approach to support my team of staff.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever done?
I genuinely don’t think I’ve had any bad jobs, unless you count housework as one!

Why do you work in the third sector?
It’s really because of the people who work in this sector and I feel very lucky to be able to work alongside them. I find them to be passionate, committed and resilient and their ambition to help others is inspiring.

What’s your favourite - Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin?
Twitter

Are boards the strength of the third sector or a thorn in its side?
They are very much part of the sector and given they are purely voluntary I think the commitment of these individuals has to be regarded as a huge strength. Of course there is always room for improvement.

Brian Denis Cox or Brian Edward Cox?
Although I’ve a science background, I would say Brian Denis Cox.