Interview with Michael Blakesley on transitioning from commercial leadership into the charity sector.
After more than three decades in commercial leadership roles across publishing, media and events, Michael Blakesley made the deliberate move into the charity sector. Now Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager at Providence Row, he reflects on what led him there, what he’s learned, and why the transition has been one of the most meaningful chapters of his career.
What led you to move from the commercial to the charity sector?
I’d spent over 30 years building businesses, partnerships and commercial platforms. It was a career I’m proud of, and one that gave me a huge amount of experience and perspective.
But I reached a point where my home life and finances were stable, and I had the rare opportunity to choose what came next based not on necessity, but on purpose.
Providence Row had always been close to me. My wife and I lived on Brick Lane while I was working in insurance publishing, and I saw first-hand the contrast between the prosperity of the City and the reality of people sleeping rough just streets away. The death of a rough sleeper in the early 2000s stayed with me. It wasn’t abstract anymore — it was real, and it left a lasting impression.
When I began thinking about the next phase of my career, I reached out specifically to explore roles within the charity sector. It felt like the right time to apply what I’d learned in the service of something that mattered beyond commercial growth alone.
How does your commercial experience support charity sector work?
At its core, partnership building is about people, trust, and understanding motivations. That doesn’t change between sectors.
What my commercial background gave me was an understanding of how organisations make decisions, how relationships develop over time, and how to build partnerships that are sustainable rather than transactional.
Many organisations want to help, but they need clarity, trust and confidence in where their support is going. My role has been to help create that alignment — connecting partners to Providence Row’s work in a way that feels genuine, transparent and meaningful.
It’s less about selling and more about listening, understanding, and building relationships that endure.
What is it like working in fundraising today?
Fundraising today exists in a challenging environment. Individuals and organisations are facing economic pressures, and there is increased competition for attention and support. Donors rightly want to understand the impact of their contribution and to feel confident in how funds are used.
Fundraising isn’t about persuasion — it’s about trust. And trust is built slowly, through honesty, consistency, and relationships.
There is also enormous professionalism required behind the scenes. Fundraisers are navigating evolving digital platforms, regulatory responsibilities, and the need to communicate impact clearly and responsibly.
It’s given me a deep respect for colleagues across the sector. It’s often demanding work, and it requires resilience, empathy and a genuine commitment to the people being supported.
How important is the team around you in delivering this work?
It’s everything.
Over the past two and a half years, we’ve grown both our fundraising capability and the income that supports Providence Row’s services. That hasn’t happened because of any one individual. It’s been the result of a collective effort, a team working closely together, with shared purpose, commitment, and belief in what we’re doing.
The frontline teams do work that is infinitely more difficult and important than mine. They are supporting people through crisis, trauma, and uncertainty, helping them rebuild stability, health and confidence. That requires extraordinary skill, patience and compassion.
Leadership has also played a vital role in creating clarity, trust and direction, allowing fundraising and partnership work to develop in a way that supports the organisation sustainably.
My role is simply one part of that wider structure. I help build relationships, create partnerships, and communicate the reality and impact of the work being delivered every day by colleagues across the organisation.
It’s a genuine team effort, and I feel fortunate to contribute to it.
What makes moving into the charity sector so rewarding?
Without question, it’s the proximity to impact.
In commercial roles, success is often measured in financial terms. In the charity sector, income still matters because it enables services, but you also see the human outcomes that the support makes possible.
You see people move forward. You see confidence return. You see stability rebuild.
It brings a different level of meaning to the work. You understand that partnerships, conversations, and support ultimately help real people change their circumstances.
That’s incredibly powerful.
How would you summarise your journey so far?
For me, it’s been about applying a lifetime of experience in the service of something deeply human.
I haven’t changed who I am professionally. I’ve simply redirected my experience towards helping build partnerships that sustain vital services and support people who need them most.
Providence Row is an extraordinary organisation, and the people I work alongside every day bring professionalism, compassion and dedication to what they do. My role is to help ensure that work can continue and grow.
It’s been a privilege to be part of that.
What would you say to others considering a move from the commercial sector into the charity world?
Do it.
If you reach a point where you have experience, perspective, and something meaningful to offer, the charity sector needs that.
Don’t try to become someone different. Bring your experience, your insight, and your passion. Those skills are valuable, and they can help charities build the partnerships and sustainability they need to continue their work.
You won’t find the same rewards in terms of commission or bonuses. But what you gain instead is far more meaningful.
You gain the knowledge that your work contributes to real human outcomes. You gain perspective. And you gain a sense of purpose that stays with you.
For me, it’s been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made.
Are you ready to move to the charity sector? Browse our current opportunities.
Josh Larkin is a Senior Recruitment Consultant in our fundraising practice. With a background in fundraising himself, he knows all too well what you’re experiencing.
