24 fingers welcomes Vinay Nair, CEO and co-founder of Lightful, a social media and campaign management platform onto the #24questions series. Vinay, it’s truly delightful to have you on board.

#1. So, what’s your favourite word?

Believe.

#2. What gets you up in the morning?

My kids, both literally and metaphorically.

#3. What do you truly, honestly think of social media?

Overall, I think it’s fantastic and has way more potential for great causes than it’s currently being used for. However, at the moment there’s too much noise out there and we need to make it easier for people to hear their amazing stories.

#4. Kindles or books?

Both.

#5. Multitasker. What do you think is the biggest challenge to your industry right now?

We sit between charity and tech. From a charity and social enterprise point of view, we need to preserve and increase trust. On the tech side, we want to use technology as a force for good that brings inclusivity and equality, rather than purely a financial return.

#6. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A tennis player. I wanted to win Wimbledon.

#7. You cannot be serious! Tell us, what led you to your current career?

Part of the motivation was for financial sustainability and life impact, part serendipity and good fortune.

#8. Can you use your favourite word in a sentence?

I know we can do it – believe.

#9. We will. Now can you make it rhyme?

Laughs nervously. “Believe me, I ll be back in a minute. I just need to relieve.”

#10. What advice would you give to your younger self?

Never forget to have fun along the way.

#11. What’s the best thing anyone’s ever done for you?

Given me the blessings of my children.

#12. Tell us, what’s been your ‘career-defining’ moment?

Raising investment for Lightful and coming across to be CEO from non-exec chair.

#13. If you won a big award of some kind, who would you thank?

My parents, family, friends and colleagues, but ultimately my wife, Devika.

#14. Love. Can you give us a timesaver of the day?

There’s a handy app called Pocket which means you can save interesting articles for later. It means you don’t get lost in noise.

#15. We like the sound of that. Where do you see your industry in 24 months?

Charity will be playing more of an important role in bringing people together in a hurting country and world. On the tech side, I see a shift in power to people controlling their own information, rather than a handful of companies controlling our data.

#16. Where were you 24 months ago?

I was director at a wonderful social investment company, SASC, investing in social enterprises across the country.

#17. What’s an interesting fact about your company?

Even in the face of Brexit, we are building a talented, compassionate, wonderful, diverse and international gang.

#18. If you could have a 24-minute Skype chat with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?

Sir Alex Ferguson.

#19. We’re sure he’d leave the hairdryer at home that day. What’s one word you’d want people to describe you with?

Passion.

#20. Would you mind taking a selfie for us?

Here you go.

#21. What’s your favourite Twitter handle or social media campaign?

Check out the hashtag #socent – full of wonderful ideas, content and impact stories. We need more of those.

#22. What’s one quote that defines your work ethic?

“…there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.” Barack Obama.

#23. What’s been the best part of your day?

Playing with my kids this morning.

#24. So cute. Finally, anything to plug?

At Lightful, we’re building an easy-to-use social media and campaign management platform, with and for the beyond-profit sector. We have a few spaces left in our Founding Members group, so if you’re a charity, social enterprise or nonprofit, please get in touch here.

Who should we interview next?

We love meeting interesting companies and the people behind them. If you have a suggestion, we'd love to hear it. Thank you.