Since graduating, Simon Chuter has followed a simple principle: do work that matters. ‘I’ve spent the past 21 years exclusively working in roles that have a greater purpose than the pay cheque,” he says.
Today, as head of SME engagement for an angel investment network, Simon helps match high net worth, sophisticated and corporate investors with fast-growing small and medium-sized enterprises that are looking for funding. Earlier in his career, he worked in organisations supporting local start-ups and in the charity fundraising sector.
His purpose-driven outlook was shaped by a transformative eight months of voluntary work in Nepal after university – an experience that continues to influence the way he approaches his career and networking.
Simon became a Fellow in 2021, having been introduced to the RSA by Emma Mills-Sheffield, another member of the Brighton business community. “Emma explained to me what FRSA means,” he recalls. “I thought that’s exactly the kind of people I want to be around. I felt very connected to the purpose of the organisation and its history – and I joined as quickly as I could.”
Since then, Simon has embraced the Fellowship fully. He regularly visits RSA House – whether to attend events in the Great Room, meet others in the Coffee House or simply spend time reading in the library. He is also active at Fellowship events in Brighton.
“There’s something special about being in the Great Room and being part of an event,” he says. “If I’m in London and I’m near the Strand, I’ll always make time to go to RSA House – I see it as hallowed ground.”
But, for Simon, being a Fellow is about much more than attending events – it’s about belonging to a community of people committed to positive change. After recently sharing his ‘absolute delight’ at being a Fellow on LinkedIn, he was met with a flurry of supportive comments, likes and reposts. His post set out to explain what the post-nominal letters ‘FRSA’ mean and why they are so important to him.
Joining the Fellowship means stepping into a network rooted in Enlightenment history and alive with contemporary creativity – a home for people who want to think boldly, connect widely and bring new ideas to life.
At our Georgian house, grab a bite, get a drink or work from the library and various spaces around the house.
“Fellows are designers and doers, educators and entrepreneurs, artists and activists, leaders and learners – united by a simple belief: society works better when people work together,” he wrote.
“Joining the Fellowship means stepping into a network rooted in Enlightenment history and alive with contemporary creativity – a home for people who want to think boldly, connect widely and bring new ideas to life.”
Simon is keen to spread the word – and to emphasise that Fellowship is not just for those based in London. ”Almost everyone finds themselves in London at some point – for a show, to shop or to visit family. It’s a great opportunity to drop into RSA House when you are,” he says.
“But beyond London there are also local events, online talks and regional meet-ups, and you can connect via Circle or the RSA’s programmes. You can get involved wherever you are.”
Simon Chuter is head of SME Engagement for angelgroups, one of the UK’s largest angel investment networks. He describes the process involved as “Dragons’ Den without the cameras”. Simon was previously the founder of Scaleup Sussex and Head of Centres and Investment Services for Sussex Innovation. He highlights both his MBA and his FRSA post-nominals on LinkedIn.
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