We're pleased to announce that two long-standing trustees, Nicholas Farhi and Sue Charteris have been appointed Chair and Deputy Chair of the Board of Trustees respectively at UnLtd, the foundation for social entrepreneurs.

Nicholas has been a Trustee at UnLtd since 2014 and has led UnLtd’s Strategy & Development Committee, helping steer the direction of UnLtd’s Going Mainstream strategy, the introduction of three focus areas of impact, and develop UnLtd’s three year, £25 million ambition. He is a Partner at OC&C Strategy Consultants where he supports CEOs in maximising the long-run potential of their organisations. Nicholas is also an active start-up investor, including in two social enterprises.

On his appointment, Nic commented: “We need social entrepreneurs and their innovative solutions now more than ever. It’s also never been a better time to be a social entrepreneur, with growing awareness and increasing support, but they still face major barriers to scaling and driving impact. Organisations like UnLtd are working hard to help them overcome those barriers, and to truly take social entrepreneurship mainstream. I am honoured to be able to help UnLtd in delivering these goals, and to help social entrepreneurs play a major role in changing society for the better.”

Sue Charteris began her involvement with UnLtd after working with social entrepreneurs in South Africa, becoming a trustee four years ago. She is a mentor to social entrepreneurs in the UK and internationally and is a member of the advisory board for the Global Social Entrepreneurship Network, founded by UnLtd. Sue is an expert facilitator and accredited leadership coach. She has been CEO of Merton Council, was a founder member of the Big Lottery Fund’s England Committee for five years and is a former Chair of Trustees of the Reader Organisation.

Sue added:“Working with such committed staff and fellow trustees and the entrepeneurs we support through UnLtd is an absolute joy. I look forward to the next phase of our organisational journey as we build even stronger partnerships with social entrepeneurs, working side by side alongside them to tackle the big challenges and involving them even more closely in our decision making.”

The appointment comes as Martin Wyn Griffith, a trustee since 2008 and Chair of the Board of Trustees since 2013, has served three full terms of office.

Martin said: “It has been a privilege to be part of UnLtd’s development over the last ten years and to have had the opportunity as Chair to lead a talented and committed team of Trustees to make the organisation fitter for the future. With our new strategy set, we have established strong foundations to deliver more focussed support for social entrepreneurs and increase the social impact which our mission demands. I time out with the knowledge that the organisation is in great shape, led by a strong board and executive team. Mark Norbury has already made a big difference since his appointment two years ago. My successor, Nic Farhi, is deeply committed to the organisation and brings his considerable knowledge and skills to the role of Chair. He will be very ably supported by Sue who has been at the heart of our Board for the last four years. I look forward to an even brighter future for all those who believe in the huge contribution social entrepreneurs can make to tackling today’s challenges.”

Last year UnLtd recruited seven new trustees to the board, Rachel Barton, Stephen Bediako, Lynne Berry, Tim Davies-Pugh, James Lawson, Elizabeth Sideris, and Krishna Vishnubhotla.

Mark Norbury, UnLtd CEO, said: “I’d like to thank Martin for all the time, energy and expertise he has given to UnLtd over the past decade. Under his leadership, UnLtd’s governance has been transformed. The board is incredibly strong, challenging and inspiring us to be ever more focused and ambitious in pursuit of our mission. Martin has been a wonderful counsel to me as CEO these last two years and I will greatly miss his humour, warmth, entrepreneurial nous and generosity. We will take so much learning from Martin into the next phase of our work.

“UnLtd already greatly benefits from the passion and commitment of Nic and Sue, who have both been instrumental in setting our strategic direction and accelerating our impact. We’re
looking forward to working even more closely with them, alongside a diverse, talented group of trustees. With this mix of new blood and deep understanding of our work, we are in an even better position to achieve our goals, so that social entrepreneurs can transform our world for good.”