Sir Nick Young
Case Study
How would you like to be described?
Someone who made a difference for people in need, and a good father, husband and friend.
How would you describe what you do?
Former chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support and the British Red Cross; now a Board member of several charities and charity consultant.
What is your greatest achievement?
Leading two very successful charities, and loving every minute of it.
What was the cause or ’trigger’ for this journey of making the world a better place through being useful and kind? And how old were you? When did you realise you could make a difference?
Realising that, as a commercial lawyer, I was just a bloke in a suit who knew some law, and that I wasn’t really helping anyone: then I met two of our great philanthropists, Sue Ryder and Leonard Cheshire. Having spent the afternoon with Sue Ryder talking about her work with the victims of the Nazi concentration camps after the War, and then with very sick people in this country, I drove home at sunset through the Suffolk country lanes, and felt as if I was being picked up and then put down in the right place. That was in 1985 when I was 33. I gave up my law partnership, and joined the Sue Ryder Foundation soon after.
Was it something your parents are/would have been proud of and encouraged?
Well, they discouraged me very strongly to start with – they wanted me to have a ‘proper career’ in the Law, using my University qualifications. But yes, now I think they would be very proud. They were very kind people, always helping others themselves.
Who or what were your early influences?
Some great teachers, my parents of course, and some very good school friends - the latter not necessarily always influences for the good, but they were fun!
What were you doing at 16?
I was at a Catholic grammar school in Wimbledon, a moderate student, playing cricket, and doing some acting. I had a few good friends I used to hang out with, but I lacked self-confidence at that age.
What advice would you give your 16 year old self?
Relax, trust your inner instincts, and try and find a job that you enjoy: money isn’t everything.
What advice would you give to other young people?
Pretty much the same thing – take your time to find a job or career that suits your own personality, and be prepared to change if it doesn’t. Remember – you only have one life, so make it count.
What has been the most difficult challenge on the way and how did you overcome it?
I can’t think of any professional challenge that I have faced that I didn’t think I could deal with eventually - you just have to tackle them calmly and logically and sooner or later you will work it out, particularly if you have one or two wise colleagues or friends to talk things through with.
Personal challenges are much harder – giving up my career as a commercial lawyer to go into the voluntary sector was certainly a big decision, as was each change from one voluntary sector job to another (because you become so attached and committed to each one). Take advice, but be prepared to trust and back your own instincts
The death of one of our sons a few years ago was easily the worst and most difficult of any challenge I have faced and it was, of course, a challenge that could not be won. You just have to try and learn to live with it, each day.
What do you think are the changes we need to see in the world and how can being U&K help solve those things?
A much greater sense from our political leaders that they share a responsibility for our planet and the people living on it, both for now and for the future, and that they can only discharge that responsibility by setting a good example and working together.
How are you useful and kind to yourself - what helps and hinders?
I have spent most of my career and the time since trying to be of assistance to other people. What hinders most is lack of time – there is never enough of the stuff!! What helps is the converse of that – good planning and prioritising.
Also, it doesn’t help when you get too tired, so you need to take time for yourself and your family. I find playing the guitar and singing (both very badly) is enormously relaxing, for me if not for others in the house.
How are you both useful and kind to others (the easy ones and those who are more difficult to be U&K to)?
We are both fairly active in our local community, and I am actively involved with half a dozen or so national charities in one way or another. We also have our share of sick and troubled friends and family members – who can all be both easy and difficult sometimes to be U&K with!
What is your biggest challenge in the future?
Learning to say no – and playing the guitar well enough for others to enjoy!
What do you wish you had done differently?
Spent more time in the office (no, only kidding!).
I wish I had seen as much of my kids as I might have done when they were young, and that I had asked my parents more about their lives. It is just so easy to say you don’t have time for stuff, and then regretting it.