Business leaders become more skilful and happier by helping charitable causes, according to a UK survey shedding light on how such philanthropy can produce benefits all round.

Business leaders become more skilful and happier by helping charitable causes, according to a UK survey shedding light on how such philanthropy can produce benefits all round.

Pilotlight, a charity, drew 134 respondents from a total survey sendout of 257 people – a response rate of 52 per cent – and results showed that almost 90 per cent of those who answered said engaging with charities brought benefits.

The findings also show that although 8 in 10 senior executives got involved with charities to “give something back”, nearly two-thirds (62 per cent) found it increased their own job satisfaction.

The survey was carried out by Pilotlight business members in England and Scotland.

" Eighty five per cent of business leaders in our survey said they had improved their coaching skills after working with charities and have a much better understanding of the charity sector as well,” Gillian Murray, chief executive of Pilotlight said.

Among other findings, the survey showed that 66 (49 per cent) respondents volunteered directly and 68 (51 per cent) volunteered through their company; some 44 (33 per cent) were female and 89 (66 per cent) were male. (One chose not to say).

Pilotlight connects business and charitable worlds to make both more effective, coaching charity and social enterprise leaders to develop skills. Since 2003, the organisation said it has worked with more than 400 charities and socials enterprises and more than 1,000 business leaders.