#31 - The Long Roadie to Responsibility - In Conversation with Mark Topley

Mark Topley spent time as a primary school teacher, drum tech and roadie before setting his sights on coaching in corporate social responsibility.

 

We are thankful he did. Mark talks us through his early work as CEO of Bridge2Aid, and how a financial fraud against the dental charity almost put a stop to its operations.

 

Mark also talks us through his decision to step away from Bridge2Aid after a decade at the helm - and how that eventually led to the  corporate responsibility coaching work for which he is now known.

 

“We trained about 450 people, that's access to emergency dentistry for about four-and-a-half million people.” 

• Mark Topley 

 

In this episode

 

02.21 - Getting started

14.04 - Charities - competition and differentiation

20.00 - The Bridge2Aid model

32.10 - Facing down challenges

40.01 - Family life in Tanzania

44.21 - Endings and new beginnings

52.02 - CSR - WTF?

01.05.14 - On teamwork

01.10.58 - Mark’s last day on earth

 

About Mark Topley

Mark’s early professional background is in teaching and community project management. He also worked in charity startups and has toured the US and Europe with bands as a production manager.

 

A chance encounter in 2003 led to him working in Tanzania alongside the founders of dental charity Bridge2Aid. He spent a decade as CEO of the charity before advising businesses on corporate social responsibility (CSR).