Board of Trustees
Sir Malcolm
Williamson / Andrew
Devenport / John Downie /
Frances Le Grys / Adam Lury / Liz Padmore / Rupendra Singh
Chair:
Sir Malcolm Williamson
"In a world beset with economic problems it is
crucial that young people across the world have the opportunity,
through our unique system of loans and mentorship, to start their
own businesses.
Only through the private sector can jobs and
economic progress be sustained."
Malcolm is Chairman of Clydesdale Bank, National Australia Group
Europe, Signet Jewelers and Cass Business School’s Strategy and
Development Board.
He is also a Non-Executive Director of National Australia Bank
and JPMorgan Cazenove Holdings and is a member of the Board of
Trustees for the International Business Leaders Forum. He has been
the Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered Bank, as well as
the President and CEO of Visa International.
Chief Executive Officer: Andrew Devenport
"As a former banker with a longstanding
interest in development, I firmly believe that encouraging
entrepreneurship is a powerful and sustainable way to address
poverty and bring opportunity to young people.
I am proud to be playing a
role in building a movement of organisations committed to doing
this around the world."
Andrew is the Chief Executive of The Prince’s Youth Business
International. He joined Youth Business International in May 2005,
when it was a programme of the International Business Leaders
Forum, becoming CEO of YBI when it became an independent
organisation in August 2008.
Prior to joining YBI, Andrew worked in investment banking for
over 20 years – 17 years of which was with Goldman Sachs –
primarily based in London, Tokyo, Los Angeles and Sydney.
John Downie
"I was attracted by YBI’s vision and ambition
and their desire to be a force for good in the world.
I feel privileged to be involved with such a
young, vibrant, committed organisation."
John Downie is a senior partner in Accenture’s London
office. He specialises in strategy and organisational
development, as well as M&A and large scale
transformation.
He has served clients throughout Europe, Asia and North America.
John holds a Bachelors degree in Applied Science from
Swinburne University in Melbourne and a Masters of Business
Administration from London Business School. He is married with
two children.
Frances Le Grys
"It is very interesting
working with and supporting the young entrepreneurs of today, and
watching them blossom into the successes of tomorrow."
Frances is a corporate partner at the international law firm
Lovells. She has experience of a wide range of M&A
activities, including acquisitions and shareholder arrangements and
alliances for listed and unlisted clients.
Her particular focus is in the retail, media, communications and
technology sectors. She regularly works on major cross border and
multi-jurisdictional matters, and, having spent several years
living and working in Tokyo, works closely with a number of major
Japanese companies.
Adam Lury
“As an entrepreneur I have always thought
the founding principles of Youth Business International were both
innovative and inspirational.”
Adam co-founded and ran HHCL - the advertising agency voted
Agency of the Decade in 1999. He now runs a management consultancy
practice that works with CEOs. He is a nonexecutive director of
Impower consulting, a trustee of One World Action, and mentors
small businesses in the south west of England. He has also
published four novels.
Liz Padmore
"Youth Business International
is a unique organisation enabling disadvantaged young people to
realise their potential, through building sustainable
businesses.
The enthusiasm and the drive
of these young people is just waiting for a catalyst and this is
what YBI and its programmes provide. It is a privilege to be
involved in something which truly makes a difference."
Liz Padmore is an independent consultant, international advisor,
mentor and Board Director. She was previously a strategy partner
and Global Director of Policy & Corporate Affairs at Accenture,
and currently works with the Oxford Business School.
While global head of Accenture’s strategic think tank she led
studies into issues such as entrepreneurship, innovation, corporate
reputation, trust, leadership and the role of business as a force
for sustainable economic and social development.
Rupendra Singh
"YBI is a unique organisation
that focuses on the most valuable asset that every country
possesses – the younger generation.
The concept of providing
financial and technical support to young people who have real
business ideas is a sure way to develop entrepreneurs, create new
channels of employment and empower individuals and
communities."
Rupendra Singh retired as non-executive Chairman of KPMG India
in September 2008. Rupendra helped establish KPMG's India
operations in 1993-94, and served as Head of Audit and later as
Chief Operating Officer in India. Rupendra is a Fellow of the
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England &
Wales.
He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of
India and was a member of its Auditing & Assurance Standards
Board. He is currently the Chairman of the KPMG Foundation in
India.
Board Representatives
David
Stewart-Patterson
"Entrepreneurship at its core is not an
activity. It is an attitude, one that can and should infuse every
sector of our society."
David Stewart-Patterson is the Executive Vice President of the
Canadian Council of Chief Executives and the Vice Chair of the
Canadian Youth Business Foundation.
Syrian de Silva Wijeyeratne
"Helping YBI to make more of an impact in
the countries which need it the most, coupled with providing
feedback from these grassroots, is both a stimulating and humbing
experience."
Syrian de Silva Wijeyeratne is the Country Manager for Microsoft
Sri Lanka and Founder Trustee of Youth Business Sri Lanka.