Nottingham entrepreneurs named in inspiring leaders list

The founding duo of Nottingham business Think for the Future have been named amongst the UK’s 100 most inspirational and innovative individuals and progressive leaders from across the private, not for profit and public sectors.

Cherie White and Hannah Rees are the only individuals from the East Midlands to be named on the 2018 ‘Faces of a Vibrant Economy’ list, produced by Grant Thornton.

Each year Grant Thornton identifies and brings together 100 progressive leaders and 2018 is the first year Think for the Future’s directors have been included on the Faces list.

Established in 2012, Think for the Future’s core philosophy is to enable and empower young people to thrive, rather than simply survive.

The company is an educational social enterprise which provides schools, teachers and disadvantaged communities with innovative solutions to remove barriers to their success; tackling pastoral and behavioural problems that are preventing participants from reaching their full educational potential. It delivers unique behaviour mentoring, student resilience workshops, staff development workshops and youth groups across the East Midlands for ages 11-16.

White said: “We are so pleased to be named as the East Midlands Faces of a Vibrant Economy and receive this recognition for our passion and commitment to helping young people thrive rather than simply survive in the modern world.”

Rees added: “In the last 6 years, we have worked with over 50,000 secondary school students delivering our innovative learning for life services across the East Midlands. Being one of the Faces will mean that we can continue to grow our services into other regions and expand our impact to more young people across the UK.”

Chris Frostwick, practice leader at Grant Thornton’s East Midlands office, said: ““By celebrating these remarkable leaders, we recognise their role in developing a more purposeful and innovative business environment. Think for the Future founders and directors Cherie White and Hannah Rees epitomise the essence of our Faces campaign, as they show us how business can be done through ‘human’ leadership which nurtures talent, and demonstrate that profits with purpose lead to sustainable business, showing us that it’s not only possible, but also necessary, to do well by doing good.”