As the former CEO of the British Youth Council and COO of Speaking Up, Kathleen Cronin is well-placed to build a social enterprise that truly meets the needs of young people, specifically young women.

Kathleen was moved to set up Ignite when she was struck by the way careers education was failing girls, contributing to gender inequality in employment - reflected by a 15% pay gap between men and women.

Ignite is a leadership and personal development programme for young women, using executive-style coaching techniques to help young women increase their confidence and resilience, access real life practical experience, and develop leadership skills. In working with schoolgirls and young women who have begun their careers, Ignite is creating a network of women who aim high, regardless of their background.

The Learning Launchpad has been working with Kathleen on Ignite since 2009, and since then we have helped her to define her market and generate a business model that will enable her to deliver high-quality career development opportunities to numerous young women.

Kathleen has made her first sale and is running her inaugural programme at La Retraite School in Lambeth. She plans to develop her services for school girls and young women through 2010 and eventually hopes to develop an ambassador programme for inspirational female role models.

Website: www.ignite-leadership.org