Welcome to Striding Out!

Samuel Kasumu, Marketing & Employer Engagement Manager

2011-06-27T11:41:48Z

Samuel‘s background covers a variety of fields including social entrepreneurship and politics. He was the founder of youth led charity Elevation Networks - an organisation with a core focus on unemployed graduates and diversity in the workplace.

He also worked as an associate trainer at the National Youth Agency, and has experience as an NVQ Assessor. He studied his undergraduate in Business & Management Accounting, and has a postgraduate in Ethnicity, Migration & Policy.

Whilst at university Samuel became Vice President of his students union and was the first to amass 1000 votes for a contested seat.

Samuel was recognised for his achievements by being named as a Rising Star for the International Key Club. He remains a trustee of Elevation Networks, and is also a trustee of the Peace Alliance.

Sean Purcell, Head of Learning & Development

2010-10-19T15:46:41Z

Sean has extensive experience in the education and training sector in a variety of roles from lecturer and trainer culminating in running a successful faculty within a large Further Education College, which focused on the provision of skills for employers and individuals within the East of England. He has also headed up the Global Business Support Operations of an established private training provider, working to provide solutions for prominent financial services companies. Sean has recently spent some time as a consultant with a company specialising in supporting small and medium enterprises in Essex. Sean is currently an Ambassador for the Chartered Management Institute, a role which enables him to improve the leadership and management capabilities of organisations and individuals.

He is a qualified lecturer, assessor and examiner and was a recipient of the Jack Petchey STAR Leader Award for his teaching and support to 16 - 19 year old learners as well as being a co-author of a textbook.

In his spare time, Sean is a Reserve RAF Officer based within the Air Cadet Organisation, and so spends much of his time training and supporting 13 - 19 year olds.

Semhar Isak, Project Coordinator

2010-03-23T10:10:59Z

Semhar is the Project Coordinator at Striding Out. She is involved in the Future Jobs Fund National and Generations Together projects. She also works on the management of the Mentor Bank.

Semhar has a degree in Psychology with Cultural Studies which she studied at the University of Sussex. She has worked in a research role at TV London and has also worked with web content at Thomas Pink.

She would like to progress with her role and eventually hopes to get involved with more Striding Out projects. Semhar would ideally like to go into Project Management in the future.

Simon Ireland-Davies, Managing Director

2009-08-09T12:04:29Z

Simon is passionate about helping people achieve their potential and particularly enjoys working with entrepreneurs to launch and grow their business. As the MD of Striding Out, Simon wants to see coaching become a powerful tool to engage with individuals, organisations and communities.

He has over 15 years experience working in senior management for large organisations, in the Financial Services and Telecommunications industries, with companies such as Norwich Union, Swinton and Telewest. He is supported the development of many senior management teams to help develop their leadership style, team performance, and business proposition for customers.

His last corporate role was Head of Coaching for O₂ where he led a team of over 250 coaches across four sites, supporting the development of over 6,000 advisors.

Simon is also a professionally qualified Coach, becoming an Associate Certified Coach after studying with the International Coach Federation approved training school the Coaches Training Institute, including passing their prestigous Certification Programme.

Fiona Biggins, Recruitment Manager

2009-07-06T19:47:45Z

Fiona is responsible for recruitment of coaches and team members for Striding Out.

She is a qualified coactive Career Coach and Youth Coach with 10 years commercial experience gained in the recruitment field.

She has a strong track record in all aspects of the recruitment cycle including: business development, direct candidate sourcing, stakeholder management, supplier management and assessment centre design & management.

Email Fiona - [email protected]">[email protected]

Heather Wilkinson, Chair

2008-04-30T13:21:17Z

Heather has fused and integrated her key skills and knowledge to generate this innovative social business, a true reflection of her passion for young entrepreneurship and social responsibility.

She has had extensive experience working in the economic development sector since 2000, specialising in the area of business support, social enterprise, community regeneration and corporate social responsibility. During her career she has worked for the private, third and public sector through her toles at Business in the Community, Hertfordshire TEC, Corporation of London, and Economic Development Consultancies EDAW and GHK.

In June 2005 she left her full-time consultancy position to set up Striding Out, and she continues to provide national and local level consultancy specialising in entrepreneurship and social enterprise. She is also a qualified business coach and NLP practitioner.

Since starting Striding Out she has won the David Nicholas Business Start Up Award from Kingston University, and the Edge Upstart Social Enterprise Mentor of the Year Award for 2006. Her work is recognised and endorsed by leading social entreprenuers. "Heather is an outstanding social entrepreneur and businesswoman. Passionate. Sharp. Highly professional. We need more like her!" Liam Black, Director of Fifteen

Heather comes from a family of entrepreneurs, and she started her first business at the age of 24, 'Just Blush'. As a trained makeup artist, she provides services for weddings, events, fashion shows and parties. She has also trained as a Coach in Personal and Business Development.

As the CEO and Chair of Striding Out, Heather leads the board and is responsible for business development strategy.

Email Heather at [email protected]">[email protected]