Impact Story: From the UK Civil Service to Co-Founding Respira Health

Oli Munns (2024 Impact Accelerator Program alum) shares his journey from the UK Civil Service to co-founding Respira Health through Charity Entrepreneurship.

Good at Sales, but Not Doing Good

I started my career in sales, on Adobe's sales graduate scheme. I was good at it, and the environment was fun and dynamic. But I wasn't making the world any better, and that was something I care about. So I moved into government to try to do more good.

Why I Left the Civil Service

The Civil Service Fast Stream, the UK government's graduate leadership program, rotated me through five departments. After I moved on from the scheme, I spent several years at the Department of Health and the Home Office. I liked that government roles were more well-rounded and invested in broader leadership development, instead of funneling me into sales.

But I worked in a strategy team that was fairly disconnected from the work on the ground, so I couldn't see how my contribution made a difference. I also didn't find the commitment to measuring and assessing impact that I was looking for. That's when I applied to the Impact Accelerator Program to help me work out my next career move.

How the Impact Accelerator Program Helped Me Change Careers

The Impact Accelerator Program (IAP) connected me with people who were driven by the same thing I was. They wanted to do good and have an impact, but they weren't sure how either. The program's structure, support and guidance helped me come up with future career options, narrow down what I wanted to do, and take concrete steps towards applying.

Joining the Charity Entrepreneurship Incubation Program

After the IAP, I joined AIM's Charity Entrepreneurship Incubation Program, which launches high-impact, cost-effective charities. Through it, I co-founded Respira Health with Rowan Lund. We're closing the treatment gap for lung diseases in low- and middle-income countries by delivering evidence-based lung physiotherapy directly to people's mobile phones.

It's completely different from what I was doing before. But I've learned so much, grown as a person, feel much more fulfilled, and met loads of great people along the way.

Is Being a Generalist a Weakness? Not in Entrepreneurship

Founding a charity is challenging, but it's also really rewarding. I'd never been my own boss before, so I have to motivate myself. I also have to recognize when I'm not being productive, or when I've done enough for the day. That takes practice and I'm not perfect at it yet, but I love the independence.

I used to think being a generalist was a weakness. In entrepreneurship it's a strength. If you enjoy a variety of tasks, learn quickly, and are happy for every day to be genuinely different from the last, do it!

A Network That Lasts

Years later, I'm still in touch with friends I made through the IAP, even though we only spent 90 minutes a week together on a video call for six weeks. The program's network, and its impact, have lasted.

About Respira Health: Treating COPD in India

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) kills more than 3 million people a year, and 90% of those deaths are in low- and middle-income countries, where treatment is hard to reach. Respira Health offers a free, mobile-based lung physiotherapy program, starting in India, where COPD is the second leading cause of death. The charity was launched through AIM's Charity Entrepreneurship Incubation Program in 2025. For more information or to get involved check out our website, this video or our volunteer roles.

Considering a Career Change?

Whether you're in government, the private sector or anywhere else, the Impact Accelerator Program helps experienced professionals find and move into high-impact careers. If you're weighing up founding versus joining an organization, read Should You Start a Nonprofit or Join One? next.