In Conversation with Blanche Sainsbury, Founder of The Child of Britain Awards
Welcome to ‘In Conversation With’, a series of articles where Sandy Hinks, Head of Charity Practice at Moon Exec Search, talks with a wide range of her connections about their organisations, roles and the life lessons that drive them.
Today, Sandy is talking to Blanche Sainsbury, Founder of the Child of Britain, Wales, Scotland, Ireland Awards Ex-UK Media Board, NED/Chairman, Top Connector. Blanche brings a strong track record of commercial success and transformational digital change with experience in Executive and Non-Executive roles at both listed and private companies.
The National Children’s Awards for Britain, Wales, Scotland and Ireland were founded to recognise courageous children, their families and the charities that support them.
Could you tell me about your role as the founder of the Child of Britain Awards?
The Child of Britain Awards recognise the efforts and achievements of courageous children, their families and the charities that support them. The Awards aim to champion young people achieving extraordinary things. What started as an event in Wales, The Child of Wales Awards grew to an initiative which encompassed the rest of the UK.
The Child of Wales Awards takes place on 21st January 2021 at Celtic Manor Resort – 800 guests in attendance, celebrities, sports personalities, but the most important people there will be our winners.
I was surprised to find that there wasn’t a NATIONAL celebration in the UK that recognises solely the achievements of young people. Wales is the first and it is my role to make sure that the others Britain, Scotland and Ireland will be realised too. Employing an experienced team helped us achieve a quicker launch of the Britain Awards, and I am very lucky to have some wonderful mentors around me all helping and wearing many hats - from friends who are working in large media organisations to colleagues running national brand agencies and even people helping from the education and charity sectors. They are as excited about the initiative as we are! The inaugural Child of Britain Awards takes place at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane on 24th June. We have also secured a broadcast media partner in Bauer Media who have a 6 month radio campaign across the UK detailing the nomination process and stories about our fabulous nominees. The Daily Mail recently ran an article too.. News to be announced about two more national media partners soon.
My personal background is in the managing of large media companies, I have a good contact network, and have had responsibility for many award ceremonies, business awards, community, and lifestyle awards. I left media in 2017 and went on to Chair Bluestone National Park resorts Ltd and there I was fortunate to see how Bluestone help families and charities when they can.
This is your idea and responsibility. You must trust other people to get involved to make sure that it is run properly.
The key for me, in all the roles I have ever had is making sure you have the right team around you. When employing, it is not necessarily just hiring for knowledge or skill at certain levels. Hiring for attitude is most important, you must have the right team around you and then ask ‘what do THEY need to get the job done?’. Let them get on with it – appreciating their efforts too. It costs nothing to say thank you and so many Leaders – just don’t!
I'm always amazed doing my work, certainly getting involved with trustees and chairs of boards, all of those are voluntary and people are so busy, but they will give up their time.
I think people will give up time if they are appreciated and understand the purpose of what you’re doing. I think a written ‘Thank you’ sometimes doesn't cut it, pick up the phone and say, ‘I really appreciate what you do’. - and mean it! I’ve come to realise if you have helped others in your career too and they know your intentions and motivation, people will be pleased to help.
I think if you give feedback and communicate, particularly to volunteers, then there’s more of a sense of a connection and feeling part of the team. It is so important for charities to do that. You must ensure your volunteers are part of your team and it is also vital to appreciate the business community who may be helping you too. We have had the most generous offers of help with our printing needs, our trophies – and our presenters and hosts.
I agree, charities cannot run without the volunteers. They should be thanked for the jobs they do.
And what do you think the future vision is for the Awards?
It's interesting, because when we launched the Children of Wales Awards we didn't know how it was going to go, but we knew we wanted to target £100k as a figure to raise for our chosen charities. When we launched, the only channel we had was Bluestone National Park resorts website to tell the community how to nominate and we had help from the team who were amazing. However, when covid hit it was a very difficult time for the Bluestone business, so the concentration had to be on protecting the team and business. It was then we were on our own and we had to work hard to keep the awards alive. It’s a completely different scenario now, after two years of setting up, communicating to people about what the business is about - we’ve had a lot of support, our own websites, media partners, and Bluestone have helped us enormously.
The children’s stories and nominations came in from far and wide across Wales, it was a chance for families and charities to talk about their children, and for the amazing bravery and courage that children showed. In our first year of the awards, we had around 200 nominations and the most inspiring stories. Including children achieving the extraordinary in sports and music.
We've collected some fabulous videos (thanks to Boom Cymru) and stories over the years. We have a uniqueness in that we have all these wonderful stories that people can tap into, and you can follow the life of that child. For example, Cerys is a dedicated young harpist who first came across a harp aged six and has loved it ever since. Unfortunately, her peers at school began bullying her for her love of music which resulted in her moving schools. She has many accomplishments including winning the Under 16s Harp Solo in the National Eisteddfod of Wales 2018 when only 10 years of age; she won the Urdd Hap Solo under 12s that same year. She was also first place in the Harp Duet (Open Age Category) in Gwyl Cerdd Dant 2019. Cerys would love to be a royal harpist when she is older - we have a very special surprise for Cerys and our guests on the night.
Also, Sophie a young environmentalist who was severely bullied at school. With no friends to play with and a keen interest in environmental matters, she would instead spend her lunch breaks litter picking. When Sophie changed schools, she took this interest to a new level. She started an eco-club, which implemented many environmentally positive changes at the school, including new recycling bins. Sophie’s enthusiasm motivated many pupils to join her club and, as a result, they too have learned about how they can make a difference.
We launched the awards in Wales; then the Britain awards followed quickly afterwards happening next June. Scotland and Ireland are currently in planning. We have also been asked to look at an overseas brand which is very exciting. We think the future is about celebrating these incredible young people, shining a light on their lives and the difference they make to other peoples lives, whilst raising money for charity. It is vital we do this – and shine a light on the achievements of young people because as corny as it sounds - they are the future.
Vanessa Moon and I go to the Bristol Young Hero Awards and I have learnt to take a packet of tissues. It is lovely hearing the stories of the children.
What challenges are the Awards facing?
COVID was a big challenge because we had to postpone the Wales event twice, and of course some companies who had committed to funding, just couldn’t due to financial pressures through not being able to trade in lockdown. We are now on our way. I am hoping that nothing will postpone the night again. With the support of our sponsors, we have already donated some money to the charities during lockdown as we felt that this was when some of the charities probably needed it most. The biggest challenge is actually the current covid unknowns and ensuring we keep our guests safe.
I think getting people to help us because they're busy is also a challenge, we've just employed our first appointment, an Events Director. And we'll have another two on the way, we've appointed a Production Manager, and we are looking for a Marketing & Sales Executive. The business is growing in that we're making appointments.
Blanche Sainsbury - FounderThinking about people that want to aspire to do similar work to you. What do you think makes a good business leader?
Understanding the leadership role is also being part of the team rather than the person who has to make all the decisions. Motivating people to do great things and having strategic skills. But, more important than anything else – Integrity.
Body language is crucial as well. Relying on what you can sense in other people's body language – trust your intuition. When people are happy, it's in the way they walk. It's how they might communicate with you. I think body language is so important, and challenging people in a positive way to test, push and develop themselves.
I think always about giving the credit to the team and not taking it yourself, because people will always want to work with you if you give them the credit for what they've done. I think a good leader lets the team go and pick up the recognition, be that in the form of an award or feedback from a client - because it has been their hard work or the team’s work, I am always surprised at people I have seen at the top trying to claim the glory.
Yes, I hear that a lot. We're talking to many business leaders, team spirit and empathy is prevalent especially through Covid-19.
A change of pace, a few more light-hearted questions from now on. What do you like to do outside of your work?
I do a lot of fitness. I'm very fortunate in that I live 90 seconds from the beach. So, we walk a lot with our two dogs Bonnie and Max. live on the Gower, right on the coastal path. Lots of fitness and lots of beaches, and I like to listen to music, and travel when we can.
A lovely part of the world! What's the first country you're going to visit next?
Well, interestingly, we are off to see the Great Wall of China and hoping we can also start to replan a trip to Australia for our son’s wedding which has been postponed twice due to covid.
Who would you say is your hero?
My heroes are the children that I am reading about through the nominations, they are truly incredible. Hundreds of them.
It puts your own personal life in perspective, it makes me realise that in reality, I have got nothing to complain about.
Yes – I am reminded of Andrea who is one of the Child of Wales winners she is 18 years old and one of eight siblings. She came to the UK with her family from Slovakia when she was four years old. As she grew up, she adopted the role of carer for her siblings as her parents couldn’t look after them. She cooked, cleaned, and often went without food so that her siblings could eat. Andrea missed a lot of school to look after her siblings but has never once complained and always exhibits a remarkably cheerful nature. Her story is quite humbling and a reminder to us all not take things for granted.
My last question, are you reading any books or listening to any podcasts?
I've just finished Into the Magic Shop by James R Doty, which was recommended by my good friend Julia Leckey who has also just written her first novel too which I have loved called Colourful Creatures.
Sandy comments: ‘Blanche is an experienced and incredibly inspiring person who has driven the Child of Britain Awards into fruition. The awards echo the values of the Bristol Young Hero Awards that Moon Executive Search sponsors. Speaking with her highlighted some important threads of executives looking to give back, often to highlight the amazing work done by people in difficult circumstances.
At Moon Exec Search, our primary work is to build and enhance leadership teams as well as sourcing Non-Exec Directors and Trustees. Since the end of the lockdowns, we are seeing many companies transform whether in technology or personnel. We offer our clients advice regarding the landscape of business and non-profit, the understanding of both worlds gives our team the best position to search for high-calibre leaders.’