Hi, my name is Suruchi  and I studied MSc Voluntary Sector Management at Bayes Centre for Charity Effectiveness (CCE).

My current role at Dementia UK is as Director of Finance and Corporate Services. I have been with this organisation for 4 years and am responsible for leading the Finance, IT, and Governance teams. I am also the Company Secretary and thoroughly enjoy every aspect of my varied role.

I started my career working in a corporate setting and my experience includes working in manufacturing and distribution sectors. I started to develop a passion for the charity sector and therefore consciously moved to working for charitable organisations over two decades ago with the desire to specialise in charity finance and provide my services towards enhancing social impact. I was very fortunate to be able to gain experience working in some very prestigious organisations like ZSL London Zoo, Royal Opera House, Royal College of Surgeons and the English National Ballet during my time.

Why MSc Voluntary Sector Management?

My inspiration to study the Master’s in Voluntary Sector Management stems from my deep commitment to the nonprofit sector and a recognition of the rounded role leaders play in its success. During my time working with charities, I witnessed the transformative impact of efficient resource allocation and transparent reporting. I wanted to build on my financial background and develop the specialized sector knowledge and skills needed to ensure charities thrive and achieve their missions. After some research, I felt that the program aligned perfectly with my goal of becoming a better leader not just in charity finance but driving innovation and growth of organisations.

When looking to do further study, Bayes CCE was an obvious option to explore. It is renowned for its expertise in charity and nonprofit leadership and the master’s degree is one of the few programmes specifically designed for professionals in the charity sector. Bayes CCE’s commitment to enhancing the effectiveness of charities also aligns with my personal and professional values. Additionally, Bayes CCE's strong connections within the nonprofit world and its mission-driven approach resonate deeply with my commitment to making a meaningful impact in the sector.

The course content

The MSc in Voluntary Sector Management at Bayes Business School is a comprehensive program designed to enhance leadership and management skills within the nonprofit sector. The curriculum combines theoretical foundations with practical applications, covering key areas essential for effective voluntary sector management. The program is typically completed over two years on a part-time basis, allowing professionals like me to continue working while studying.
The first year covers core modules which are designed to deepen your understanding of nonprofit management and enhance their strategic leadership capabilities within the voluntary sector. I enjoy the way in which the assessments are designed to practically and innovatively apply the theory and knowledge gained during the lectures. This helps make it relevant to individual’s experience and background. The second year has specialist modules designed for those intending to focus in any one field.

The module I enjoyed the most was "Culture, Collaboration, and Change" module, which focuses on critical aspects of leading and managing organizations within the nonprofit and voluntary sector. It equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate and influence organisational culture, foster effective collaboration, and manage change processes. The school and the guest lecturers made the topic come to life with their practical examples on overcoming the challenges by effective change management and maintaining a positive culture.

How has the helped in your day-to-day role?

This master’s provided practical tools and knowledge which have been incredibly helpful in almost all aspects of my role including personal development. For example: developing a multi-year strategy to increase its impact while ensuring financial sustainability, using data-driven insights to target donors with personalized campaigns resulting in increased donations and developing a management framework to enhance engagement and reduce turnover.

The connections with the professors who have a wealth of experience and the networking opportunities with peer group is something to be cherished as it does not end with the completion of the course.

If you're considering a master's in the charity sector at Bayes Business School's Centre for Charity Effectiveness (CCE), it's an excellent and unparalleled choice as it is tailored for the charity sector.

The experience is not just about earning a degree—it's about equipping yourself to lead and transform the sector.

The lectures are based in London, so for those based outside London, would highly recommend taking the efforts to travel down and attend lectures in person as it makes so much of a difference!