We are delighted to announce that Sarah Porretta will join Young Enterprise as Chief Executive Officer from November 2024. Sarah, who is currently Deputy CEO at Fair4All Finance, will be taking over from Sharon Davies, who has been at the charity for fifteen years.
Sarah’s appointment comes at an important time for Young Enterprise, coinciding with the November launch of the new TransformingFutures 2024-30 strategy, which focuses on the long-term impact our programmes and services can make to both productivity and social mobility.
Sarah brings 25 years of private and public sector experience and specialises in strategy, stakeholder engagement and innovation, including previous positions at the Money and Pensions Service, where Sarah led the development of the UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing, and Lloyds Banking Group, where she set up the group’s financial inclusion function.
After having served as CEO for the past five years, Sharon is planning to spend some time out before considering new adventures. Sharon will be working closely with Sarah to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities.
Simon Lewis, Young Enterprise Chair of Trustees, stated: “I am delighted to welcome Sarah Porretta as our new CEO. We conducted a thorough search process and I am confident that we have found the right leader for the next phase of Young Enterprise’s journey. Sarah has the relevant experience and background and shares our passion for addressing the challenges of social mobility. Sharon has been an outstanding CEO and it has been an absolute pleasure to work with her for the last five years as CEO. On behalf of the Board, I’d like to thank her for all she has done for the charity over the last 15 years. We were lucky to have her and we all wish her well in the future”.
Sharon Davies, CEO Young Enterprise, said: “It has been an honour to serve alongside and learn from an incredible team of volunteers and staff at Young Enterprise over the last 15 years. I’m hugely proud of the contribution we’ve made as a team to increasing young people’s access to opportunities and have been privileged to witness first-hand the impact Young Enterprise has had in changing so many lives”.
Sarah Porretta commented: “I am very excited to join Young Enterprise and build on the excellent work Sharon has done to strengthen the charity and demonstrate its impact on social mobility, something I am personally passionate about. Throughout my career I have seen first-hand the transformative power of listening to, collaborating with and investing in young people to set them up for future success. With social mobility, enterprise and financial education firmly on the national agenda for the years ahead, I look forward to working with colleagues and volunteers to ensure that the new strategy reaches and transforms the lives of young people across England and Wales.”
