The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire April/May Edition 2015 | Page 25

IN PROFILE

David Latham

Swindon Mindful Employer Network
Project Leader

What was your first job?
I joined what was then the Post Office Telecoms team in
Swindon. When the Post Office was privatised and became
British Telecom (BT), I was running the commercial sales
unit in the procurement division. I later progressed to
community affairs manager in Swindon situated at North
Star House, working in partnership with the local voluntary
sector and media.

How did your career develop
a more social perspective?
I have always been passionate about the third sector
and its fundamental value to the local community. My
next career move after BT was to work for Schools
Outreach, a project providing pastoral care workers in
schools throughout the country. I was a regional staff
carer, ensuring that care workers were supported in their
very difficult roles of providing help and advice to school
children, many of whom were from impoverished or
challenging backgrounds. My belief is greater now than
ever that there is a need for this type of service.
The experience I gained through these various roles then
afforded me the amazing opportunity to work with BBC
Children in Need as Wiltshire co-ordinator for five years.

David Latham is a true
ambassador for how fundraising
and charity support by the
business community can have
a hugely positive impact on
society.
Leading by example, David
has been at the helm of the
Swindon Mindful Employer
Network project since 2008.
In this interview we explore
his career journey, and how
he encourages businesses to
appreciate the benefits of a
mentally healthy workforce.

Where did your passion for
charities come from?
It started with my role as a volunteer for Swindon Hospital
Radio. I found hospital radio extremely rewarding, giving
me more confidence to talk to people and helping develop
my communications skills – particularly when meeting folk
for the first time! Ward visiting, and getting patient’s music
requests was a real challenge for me, but the positive
benefits for patients were obvious.
Laughter is so important for people who are recovering
from poor health and we tried to bring some light-hearted
fun and a smile to people’s bedsides. I met many of my
lifelong friends at hospital radio, and it was this experience
that provided the springboard for my role as a BBC
broadcaster. It also fostered an interest in PR, marketing
and media relations that remains with me to this day.

Why would you encourage
businesses to support charities?
The vitality and health of the local community should be
of interest to firms of all sizes. Although “Corporate
Social Responsibility” (CSR) can sometimes seen as a ‘tick
box’ compliance activity, I truly believe that if the local
community thrives, business thrives. The wellbeing of our
local communities should be seen as incredibly important
to employers.
Encouraging staff to fundraise is a great way to raise
awareness, and has so many benefits; in terms of individual
personal development, team building, team building and
loyalty and appreciation of the local community. Firms
can spend vast sums on trai