Simon is the Chief Executive of the Young Foundation.  Before taking on his current role in June 2011, he helped build the Young Foundation, first as Director of Ventures and then as Managing Director. 

During Simon's time as Director of Ventures the Young Foundation has supported over sixty early stage social ventures and created fifteen of its own ventures. These range from volunteer-based charities to social enterprises earning revenues from public sector commissioners to business angel backed social businesses. Venture partners have included NHS hospitals, local authorities, universities, businesses charitable foundations and individual investors and entrepreneurs.

Simon has also advised a range of government departments and local public bodies in the UK and internationally on how to nurture support and invest in social innovation and entrepreneurship. He developed the Young Foundation's work on youth, education, health and ageing, including our Regional Innovation Fund Advisory Service for the National Health Service.

Simon is currently chair of the board of the Studio Schools Trust and on the board of a number of social ventures including NeuroResponse and Social Innovation Camp.

More about Simon
Simon has been a strategy consultant with McKinsey & Company and a barrister practicing public and charity law. He was part of the original team that set up UnLtd - The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs and worked on the plan for The Big Issue's first social venture fund. Just before joining the Young Foundation he was the Chief Operating Officer of Kids Company, helping the charity out of financial distress and into productive partnership with central and local government whilst managing a major exhibition of children's art at Tate Modern

Contact

Gemma Callander, PA, on gemma.callander@youngfoundation.org or call 020 8980 6263