In this episode, Adam is joined by Ben Drabble, Chief Executive of Train, to explore a refreshingly honest charity career journey — from international mission, to fundraising leadership, to local youth work on his doorstep.

Ben shares how he stepped into his first Director role through a pure job share model — one inbox, one calendar, total trust — and why job sharing can be an incredibly effective (and often overlooked) way of opening up senior leadership to people with caring responsibilities.

Together, Adam and Ben unpack what a pure job share really looks like at Director level, why job shares have such a high success rate when done well, and the leadership growth that comes from shared responsibility and constant feedback. Ben also reflects on moving from a large international charity to leading a small local organisation, taking a £20k pay cut to gain lifestyle, alignment, and joy in his work, and why mission alone is not enough if you don't enjoy the day-to-day.

This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation for anyone navigating senior leadership, considering flexible working, or wrestling with what "success" really looks like in a charity career.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and career journey
• 05:59 Impact of gap year programmes
• 12:45 Building professional networks
• 20:09 Practicalities of job sharing
• 29:19 Transition to Chief Executive role
• 41:16 Lessons in leadership and mission alignment