The founder of national youth charity the Talent Foundry is to step down after 15 years as its CEO.
Amy Leonard will be leaving the role in January and Jenni Anderson, current deputy chief executive, has been appointed to take over.
The Talent Foundry, which recorded an income of £1.07m in the year to August 2022, said that under Leonard’s leadership it has worked with over 600,000 young people in underserved communities
Leonard, who was awarded an MBE in 2020, said: “I am incredibly proud of what the Talent Foundry has achieved over the last 15 years – it’s been wonderful to see how the organisation has grown from the 250 schools we worked with in the early years, to the thousands we work with today.
“We are now a truly national charity and whilst scale matters, it’s the individual stories of underserved students discovering their talents and forging exciting futures that means so much more.
“I am so delighted that someone with Jenni’s passion and skill will be taking the Talent Foundry forward into its next chapter, and I have every confidence that it will continue to go from strength to strength and become a major player in effecting social mobility.”
Chair: Founder’s vision ‘ahead of its time’
David Bell, chair of the Talent Foundry, said: “We are incredibly grateful for Amy's exceptional contribution to the Talent Foundry.
“Her vision in setting up the charity to level the playing field of opportunity for young people was ahead of its time.
“Particularly now as we look back at the tumultuous periods of the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis that have affected young people already facing significant barriers to employment the most.
“With the disadvantage gap widening – her foresight in bringing those less advantaged by their background the same opportunities to develop and grow as their wealthier peers is now needed more than ever.
“Amy’s unwavering commitment to social mobility and sparking new ways to bring employability skills into the classroom have been integral to our success.”
New CEO in 2024
Anderson is a former director at the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and has held senior leadership positions at Haven House Children’s Hospice, and the Scout Association. She was appointed deputy CEO at the Talent Foundry in April 2022.
Bell said Anderson “is passionate about improving the opportunities for young people facing disadvantage and committed to bringing together expertise from industry to connect and engage young people”.
Founded as the Transformation Trust in 2009, and rebranded to the Talent Foundry in 2019, the charity works in partnership with schools and industry to inspire young people.
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