Every year, Acumen’s Fellowship in the United Kingdom selects around 20 inspiring leaders who are committed to a lifelong journey of solving problems of poverty and creating a world based on dignity.

Our 2025 UK Acumen Fellows span diverse sectors, leadership roles, and organization types. From Dundee to Cardiff, and across public, private, and social sectors,  they are reimagining education, employment, health, and inclusive communities. Our Fellows are bold and lead with moral imagination: the humility to see the world as it is, and the audacity to imagine it as it could be.

Over the past year, these 17 Fellows came together to learn with and from one another through a series of workshops and immersive seminars. Now, 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 continue to support and accompany one another on the lifelong journey of building change.

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

Enabling schools to be catalysts of community

Charlie is the Director of Communities at United Communities, a charity that partners with schools and locals to build strong, connected communities. A strategic leader with lived experience of poverty, Charlie drives systems change through asset-based community development and by advocating for the intentional relocation of power. She has held leadership roles with national organizations including the YMCA, the British Red Cross, and the RSPCA. Charlie holds an MA in Transformative Practice and a BA (Hons) in Youth and Community Work. 

Supporting refugee entrepreneurs to create thriving enterprises

Fred is passionate about building cooperation across communities to create a more equitable future through inclusive social innovation and entrepreneurship. As Co-Founder of TERN, he  has spent over 13 years empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs to design and lead change. Under his leadership, TERN has supported more than 1,000 refugee entrepreneurs, collaborated with UNHCR to produce educational content, and inspired global businesses to partner with refugees. Fred also leads international leadership exchanges and explores the use of Open Source and Creative Commons in the social impact space to advance collaboration and innovation.

Providing essential support for children in need

Genna is the Executive Director of Dundee Bairns, a children's charity dedicated to tackling child poverty. She believes no child should face inequality because of financial barriers. Under her leadership, Dundee Bairns provides essential support — from meals and clothing to activities — ensuring every child in Dundee has the opportunity to thrive. Genna’s work reflects her deep commitment to improving children's lives.

Removing socio-economic barriers so young women can thrive

Hannah is the Founder and CEO of Young Ladies Club, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising aspirations among disadvantaged young women and girls. Drawing on her  background in graduate recruitment and sales and marketing, Hannah brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in empowering others to reach their potential. Her leadership has seen her contribute to multiple government projects and speak on stages across the UK and internationally, addressing  issues of gender inequality.

Challenging young people to be leaders of their own lives

Jordan is an experienced Early Years and Youth Work professional, entrepreneur, and community leader with over 15 years of experience across these sectors. As Managing Director of Reaching Higher, he leads initiatives that champion and empower young people to thrive — building value-driven teams, developing homegrown leaders, and strengthening meaningful community relationships. Jordan is also the Founder of Sowing & Growing Nursery and Preschool, a business dedicated  to delivering high-quality early years education.

Supporting children in crisis

Joseph has over 20 years of experience working in charities that support children, young people, and their families across the UK to build better futures. As Chief Executive of Buttle UK, he leads efforts to support children in crisis, particularly those facing financial hardship, social exclusion, and other issues. Joseph has previously held senior fundraising and communications roles at Depaul-UK, Action for Children, and The Prince’s Trust. He also serves as Chair of the End Child Poverty Coalition and as a trustee of School Home Support.

Reimagining peace and justice for communities

Kusai is Co-Director of The 4Front Project, a youth organization that supports young people to reimagine peace and justice by placing healing at the center of its work. A strategic consultant, youth advocate, community organizer, and researcher, Kusai grew up on the Grahame Park Estate in North West London and served that community through The 4Front Project. As Co-Director he developed a care-centered model to coordinate support for young people and families in crisis — from  hospitals and police stations, to courts and prisons — providing long-term support after violence or loss. He also trains teams in community peacebuilding, helping communities build collective responses to harm and making transformative justice a daily practice. 

Empowering Black women economically through tech

Oyin is the CEO of Niyo Group, a  multi-award-winning collective of companies that use technology to economically empower Black women as builders in the tech industry. She holds a BA in Economics and Management from Nottingham Business School and an MSc in Development Economics. Driven by a passion for addressing poverty and inequality, Oyin is committed to transforming the lives of Black women worldwide by equipping them with the tools and employment opportunities to thrive in tech. 

Driving social change through business

Pranav is the Founder and CEO of NEMI Teas,  and is passionate about creating meaningful employment and hospitality training opportunities for refugees in the UK. NEMI Teas is a King's Award-winning social enterprise, championing both people and planet through ethical sourcing and sustainable practices. A former management consultant (ACA, MBA), Pranav leverages strategic expertise to build an equitable and inclusive society.

Championing equity in entrepreneurship

Remi is the Founder of The Diverse Creative (TDC), a multi-award-winning social enterprise empowering neurodivergent and disabled entrepreneurs. Through flagship initiatives such as Not Your Average Entrepreneur, which has already engaged nearly 2,000 participants, TDC provides tailored support, training, and resources to help individuals launch and grow sustainable businesses. Its programs not only build business knowledge but also foster self-belief, community connection, and long-term resilience among underrepresented entrepreneurs.

Delivering net zero housing for those in need

Richard is the Co-Founder of Cornerstone Place, a property development social enterprise that turns unused land and buildings into affordable homes for local governments and charities, building 100% social housing without profit. He chairs Mears Group PLC’s ESG board, co-chairs the Chartered Institute of Housing's Homelessness Policy Group, and previously served as Chair of Social Value UK and Co-Chair of Social Value International. A creative thinker, collaborator, and leader, Richard has a strong track record of developing impactful cross-organizational and cross-sector partnerships.

Enabling employment through edible treats

Rosie is the Founder and CEO of Miss Macaroon, a social enterprise that empowers long-term unemployed young people through skills training, mentoring, and employment opportunities. She also serves as a Board Member at Better Society Capital, supporting investments that drive positive social change. A recognized leader in inclusive and innovative business, Rosie champions diversity and inclusion in leadership and is a frequent media commentator on youth employment, social value, and social entrepreneurship.

Reimagining philanthropy through racial justice

Rowena is Co-CEO of Ten Years Time, a philanthropy advisory enterprise focused on racial justice, working with philanthropists to repair harm and rebalance power. She is also the Founder of Purpose Reimagined, which provides leadership and trustee coaching and training. With over 25 years of experience spanning grassroots organizing to endowed foundations, Rowena champions social justice and liberation movements. She holds a BSc in Environmental Science and an MA in Urban Regeneration, combining academic expertise with a lifelong commitment to transformative change in the social sector.

Ending the injustice of poverty in Scotland

Ruth is the Policy and Campaigns Manager at the Poverty Alliance, Scotland's anti-poverty network. With more than 400 diverse civil society members, the Alliance works collectively to end the injustice of poverty in Scotland. Ruth leads the organization’s policy, campaigns, and communications work; collaborating with elected members and governments to advocate for changes to policy and practice, driving strategic campaigns, and providing media commentary on poverty-related issues. Ruth also serves as a trustee of the SPFL Trust, the charitable arm of professional football in Scotland, which uses the power of football to help people live happier and healthier lives. 

Tackling issues of injustice on Nottingham’s doorsteps

Sajid is the Co-Founder of Himmah, a Nottingham-based charity tackling poverty, racial inequality, and food insecurity through advocacy, leadership development, and community organizing. With more than 18 years of leadership experience across the public, private, and voluntary sectors, he brings a strong background in project and program management. Sajid has co-founded several community initiatives, including Salaam Shalom Kitchen and Nottingham Citizens, and holds multiple postgraduate qualifications. He also serves as a Nottingham City Councillor, championing fairness and inclusion. 

Tackling food waste and insecurity across Wales

Sarah is the CEO of FareShare Cymru and one of its founding directors, having served as the organization’s first Chair, and leading its establishment in South Wales in 2010. Under her leadership, FareShare Cymru was recognized in 2024 with the Environment Champion Award at the St. David’s Awards and the Organisation of the Year Award at the Welsh Charity Awards. Previously, Sarah was Deputy CEO at the Wales Community Recycling Network and undertook a secondment to the Welsh Government to help write the Towards Zero Waste strategy. She has worked extensively with community recycling and reuse organizations, supported SMEs in improving environmental management, and served as a Trustee of the Social Audit Network.

Creating a safety net for LGBTQI people fleeing persecution 

Sebastian is a social entrepreneur, innovator, and LGBTQI activist. He is the Founder of Micro Rainbow and the Micro Rainbow International Foundation, organizations working to  create a world where LGBTQI people are safe, free from discrimination and persecution, and have equal opportunities in life. Sebastian is passionate about applying innovative models for social change that are sustainable, scalable, and replicable. A pioneer in the use of social investment in the LGBTQI human rights sector, he established the UK’s  first housing scheme for homeless LGBTQI people fleeing persecution, as well as the first microfinance program in Cambodia and the first small business incubator in Brazil for LGBTQI people living in poverty. He shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey on his blog, buildasocialenterprise.com.

Interested in joining the 2026 Acumen UK Fellows Programme? Find out more here.