Board of Trustees

Hanneke Smits (Chair)

BNY Mellon Investment Management

“Impetus helps more children succeed in education and more young adults move successfully into work, through a combination of financial support, the skills of their staff and pro-bono support. I have seen their impact. For example, Resurgo (one of their portfolio partners) originally started with a centre close to where I live and has been able to expand rapidly through its partnership with Impetus.”


Read Hanneke's full bio.

Alexander Walsh

Blackstone

“Helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to tackle inequality is a cause close to my heart and one of the most important issues we face. Leveraging the resources of the private equity industry at large, both financially and in skills and knowledge, to achieve this goal remains as relevant today as it did when Impetus was founded, and I’m delighted to be a part of it.


Read Alexander Walsh's Blackstone profile.

Arnaud Bosquet

Apax

“Education is the most valuable foundation one can get in life. It empowers, liberates and inspires. It helps combat inequalities. This is why Impetus’s action towards young people from disadvantaged backgrounds is so critical and motivating.”

Read Arnaud Bosquet's Apax profile.

Christian Lucas

Silver Lake

“I believe that contributing to helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds stand a better chance at school, university, or for their first job, is a truly important mission. By identifying and actively championing organizations that help those who are growing up in challenging circumstances to reach their full potential, Impetus plays a significant role in building a more equitable future. I’m honoured to have joined Impetus as a trustee and be part of their meaningful work."

Read Christian Lucas' Silver Lake profile.

Andy Thoms

Google

Impetus is an incredible organisation with a truly unique model that identifies organisations with high potential to disproportionately reduce youth inequality and accelerate their progress at scale. Impetus’ mission to ensure every young person succeeds is today more pertinent than ever, and I’m honoured to be joining their board to contribute towards achieving this.”

Bill Benjamin

Ares Management

“It has often been said that the best anti-poverty measure is a job. By focusing on education and employment for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, Impetus is at the forefront of combating inequality, which is the most pressing social issue of our time.”


Read Bill Benjamin's Ares Management profile.

Charlie Edwards

The Stone Family Foundation

“Impetus is all about making impact. Along with providing much needed funding, it is their hard work – getting alongside inspiring leaders of promising organisations and helping them to improve and grow – that is having a real and lasting impact on young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. I am proud to be part of an organisation that is helping these young people to succeed against the odds.”

Filippo Cardini

TowerBrook

“Impetus works closely with leaders who are passionate about improving outcomes for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. They bring much needed long-term financial and strategic support to their portfolio partners, and their unique model is highly successful in helping these organisations to scale. The impact this has on the lives of young people is transformative and I am proud to be part of this work.”



Read Filippo Cardini's TowerBrook profile.

Lisa Stone

(formerly) HgCapital

“Impetus is like no other charity I have come across. Yes they help to provide funding to their family of portfolio partners, but more importantly they provide the critical skills and support needed to help these organisations to grow and develop. The transformation that can be achieved is astonishing and the impact it has on young people’s lives is truly remarkable.”

Natasha Porter

Unlocked Graduates

“The work of Impetus is so important and makes a real difference. This is not only because they are supporting and scaling organisations that work with young people from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, but also because they do so with a relentless focus on evidence and impact. I am delighted to be in a position to support Impetus’ mission through my position on the board and by chairing the Public Affairs Committee.”


Read Natasha Porter's Unlocked Graduates profile.

Sat Singh

Renaissance Foundation

“During my time on the Impetus Leadership Academy, I was able to experience Impetus’ work first hand, and the programme had a transformational impact on my leadership journey. I share the passion of the dedicated Impetus team to make changes to improve the youth sector and create transformational opportunities for young people in the UK.”

Read Sat Singh's Renaissance Foundation profile.

Shani Zindel

Livingbridge

"Having been a trustee of an Impetus backed organisation, I have seen first-hand the impact they have. It is so much more than just money. It is advice, challenge, access to experts and above all a real clarity of focus on impact of the organisation."

Read Shani Zindel's Livingbridge profile.