Every year, the Acumen Fellowship in the United Kingdom selects a cohort of inspiring leaders with an entrepreneurial mindset and a commitment to solve problems of poverty and build a world based on dignity.

Our 2024 cohort of UK Acumen Fellows spans diverse sectors, leadership, and organization types. From Glasgow to Bristol, public sector leaders to social enterprise founders, food redistribution services to social mobility programs, and community-led organizations to corporate-led businesses; our Fellows are bold leaders who thrive on moral imagination - the humility to see the world as it is, and the audacity to imagine it as it could be.

Over the course of this year, the Fellows came together to learn with and from each other in a series of workshops and immersive seminars. They’ve graduated from the Fellowship and joined the Foundry - Acumen’s growing alumni community of more than 1,600 social innovators from around the world who support and accompany each other on the lifelong journey to build change.

Join us in welcoming the newest Acumen Foundry members and learn about how they’re transforming the world!

Working to eliminate modern slavery

Andrew is the founder of Unseen, an anti-slavery organization providing safe housing and support to survivors. He runs the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline, and works with businesses and governments to eliminate slavery. Andrew also co-chairs the Home Office's Modern Slavery Engagement Forum and helped develop the Modern Slavery Act of 2015. He is an advisor to Competent Boards and Tech-Against-Trafficking, and a media commentator on slavery and human rights. He is "the nicest disruptor you could ever meet." 

Leveraging corporate innovation as a force for good

Cecilia is a senior program manager on Amazon's Worldwide Sustainability team. She works to accelerate Amazon’s progress on social responsibility and environmental sustainability across Europe. Cecilia leads both external and internal engagements, including partnerships, policy advocacy efforts, and business initiatives that leverage Amazon's scale, speed, and innovation as a force for good. Throughout her career, Cecilia has brought together the public and private sectors to ensure a just transition to the green economy, widen access to skills and jobs, and level the playing field for entrepreneurship. She holds a degree in International Business from Northeastern University and Universidad Pontificia Comillas.

Improving life outcomes and opportunities for care-experienced young people

Emmanuel is the founder and director of Lighthouse Pedagogy Trust (LPT), a charity committed to improving the lives of young people who have experienced the care system. LPT addresses the common challenges faced by care experienced young people, such as homelessness and long-term unemployment, by changing their life trajectories. Prior to founding LPT, Emmanuel worked at a charity providing training and work opportunities to disadvantaged youth, and in the management consultancy and technology sectors helping organizations use technology to better support young people.

Enabling young people and bringing cultural diversity into the fashion industry

Faith is the founder of Caramel Rock, an educational charity that empowers and supports young people in careers in fashion, creating a level playing field for all and addressing social and cultural diversity in the industry. She is a cultural consultant, social entrepreneur, and liveryman of the Haberdashers Livery Company. Faith also runs School College Fashion Week, Petra Fashion, and is a PhD fellow at the Royal College of Art.

Empowering localities to tackle poverty across the UK

Graham is the founder and CEO of Resolve Poverty, a nonprofit organization strengthening the role localities and regions play in resolving poverty in the UK, supporting low-income households to maximize their financial resources, and strengthening the voice and role of those with lived experience of poverty in decision-making processes. Prior to founding Resolve Poverty, Graham worked for Save the Children as a senior policy advisor, leading several policy and campaign projects focused on poverty in the UK.

Improving access to quality early years education

Kannan is the founder of YellowNest, a workplace benefit that works with employers to lower the cost of high-quality early years education. YellowNest supports positive social justice for children, families and commerce. Kannan is a former McKinsey Trained People Director, working in predominantly family office owned media environments, and holds an Executive MBA from the University of Oxford.

Strengthening communities based on local-level need

Kat is the CEO of Oasis Community Partnerships, a charity embedding programs into communities based on local level need, tackling issues such as youth work and violence reduction, food insecurity, community movement building, family support, adult education, and volunteering opportunities. Kat has over 20 years of experience in the charity sector, starting her career as a youth worker at Oasis, progressing through several different roles to become CEO in 2021. Kat is passionate about making a difference with individuals and communities where everyone is included.

Mitigating poverty through a local authority lens

Louise is a team leader at Inverclyde Council and is responsible for and passionate about mitigating poverty, particularly child poverty, in her local authority area. Louise has been in public service for more than 30 years with specific interests in systems change and public sector reform to improve outcomes for people requiring public sector support and services. Louise has a degree in Public Administration and Management and a postgraduate qualification in Community Safety.

Addressing the double dilemma of food waste and food insecurity

Lucy is the CEO of FareShare South West, the UK’s largest charity fighting hunger and food waste by saving surplus food and redistributing to frontline charities. Over the last four years, Lucy has been leading the organization through an intense period of growth throughout the pandemic and currently into the cost of living crisis. Prior, Lucy worked as a manufacturing operations leader in the aerospace industry, having studied engineering at university.

Empowering the next generation of female leaders

Marsha is a dedicated and visionary leader in the realm of female empowerment, renowned as the founder of BelEve UK, a charity based in London. BelEve’s mission is to empower young girls to become confident, resilient, and compassionate leaders who shape the future through mentoring and career opportunities. With a background in human resources and a Masters in Personnel Development, Marsha seamlessly blends her expertise with a passion for social change, creating a lasting impact on the lives of young women in the UK. To date, she has helped transform the lives of over 20,000 girls aged 8-22.

Using creativity and play as a tool for aspiration for children and families

Michaela has been with PEEK for over 23 years, as a participant, volunteer, staff member, and now CEO. PEEK supports children, young people, and families in Glasgow by raising their hopes and aspirations through play, creative learning, improved well-being, and volunteering. Michaela has been involved with a variety of organizations across the UK, including Corra Foundation, UNICEF, UnLtd, British Council, Sport Relief, and Spirit of 2012. She was awarded an MBE the 2022 Queen's New Years Honours for services to charity and communities during COVID-19.

Building a holistic approach to foster safe and healthy relationships

Michelle is the chief executive of TLC: Talk, Listen, Change - a national relationships charity. The organization delivers a range of integrated support, therapies, and interventions in pursuit of safe, healthy, and happy relationships. Michelle is also a non-executive director at MSV Housing where she chairs their Customer and Communities Committee; a trustee of the BGF Foundation; and trustee and treasurer at Christ Church Stockport. She holds an MBA and is a Clore Social Fellow.

Uniting public, private, and community sectors to uplift communities

Rachel is the CEO of Tempo, leading the UK’s national Time Credit network, working with 1000+ organizations, services, public bodies and businesses to create lasting social impact. With over 24 years of experience in the voluntary sector, Rachel has dedicated her career to uplifting communities often overlooked by traditional systems. Before transitioning to the voluntary sector, she worked in prison education with a commitment to address societal challenges. Known for her leadership in social justice and inclusion, Rachel plays an instrumental role in Tempo’s mission to foster widespread community engagement and empowerment, driving positive change across the UK through innovative participation and volunteer initiatives.

Enriching the lives of people with disabilities

Rachael has been a consultant orthopedic surgeon in Norwich for 17 years working with people with disabilities. She co-founded Able2B to solve the problems she was encountering while treating her patients in the NHS. Able2B are expert trainers and medical specialists collaborating to enrich the daily lives of children and adults with disabilities and special educational needs. Able2B’s unique service uses sports medicine principles to go above and beyond to support each individual, helping them reach their goals and fulfill their true potential. 

Breaking down barriers and broadening horizons for young people

Robert is the deputy CEO of ThinkForward, a charity providing long-term coaching to support young people and prepare them for the world of work, helping them develop the skills they need to overcome barriers and broaden their horizons. Formally working in a commercial environment, Robert brings his expertise on leadership, management, governance, and marketing to the third sector. His focus is on helping young people who are furthest away from the job market recognize their skills, gain experience, and build social capital to secure meaningful, paid employment. 

Advocating for financial inclusion with marginalized communities

Serrena specializes in delivering programs to provide equitable access to financial empowerment for marginalized communities. Serrena has had the privilege of creating change with international human rights defenders, LGBTQ+ communities, and those experiencing homelessness. Co-production sits at the core of Serrena’s ethos; she works alongside communities and businesses, collaborating to create innovative solutions to overcome barriers to inclusion at work. Serrena's current priority is providing grant funding and support to enable people with lived experience of homelessness to achieve the career ambitions of their choice - with dignity and pride.

Working to end youth violence

Shaninga is the founder and CEO of London based award winning youth charity, BIGKID Foundation. Through community engagement, mentoring, and leadership programs, BIGKID Foundation equips young people to take control of their lives and find, develop, and act on their own potential. Shaninga has over 20 years of experience working with young people, specialized in engaging with those deemed ‘hard to reach,’ and working in London and across the UK both in communities and schools. Shaninga has sat on advisory boards for local authorities, the Royal household, and the MET police, working on solutions to end youth violence and sharing best practice for youth engagement.

There’s more. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook over the coming weeks as we highlight the inspiring work of this 2024 cohort.

Are you championing change in the United Kingdom? Join our 2025 UK cohort! Learn more and apply here, or complete this form to nominate a Fellow today.