James Bardrick, ex-Head of Citi UK, has been announced as the new Chair of Trustees of Career Ready, a national social mobility charity.
James brings extensive business leadership and experience to the role, having served as Head of Citi UK for a decade, as part of a 37-year career at the bank. He has served as Deputy Chair of Career Ready since 2018, having been a long-term supporter of the charity’s work through its partnership with Citi.
James Bardrick said:
“I am delighted to be taking on the role of Chair at this pivotal time in Career Ready’s journey. I would like to thank my predecessor, Sandy, for all he has done in service to Career Ready, helping to grow it into the organisation it is today.”
“From my experience over the years, I have seen the life-changing difference the programme makes to young people’s futures and the value it can add to businesses. I look forward to working with my fellow Board members and the exceptional team at Career Ready, to help the charity achieve its ambitions in the coming years.”
James succeeds Sandy Begbie CBE FRSE, CEO of Scottish Financial Enterprise, who is stepping down after serving as Chair since 2018, first becoming a Trustee in 2016.
In this time, he helped Career Ready navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, grow its paid internship provision to over 1,300 young people each summer, and with the Scottish Government established the Young Person’s Guarantee in Scotland, which Career Ready helps enable.
Sandy Begbie CBE FRSE said:
“After eight years as Trustee and six as Chair of Career Ready, it is time for me to hand over the reins. It has been both a pleasure and an honour to work with the Trustees and all the staff at Career Ready, I would like to thank them all for their support over the years.”
“I am delighted that James Bardrick has agreed to take over as Chair, and I know that he, Tokunbo, and the team will provide excellent leadership in the next phase of its journey. I look forward to watching the continued success of Career Ready as a committed supporter of its fantastic work.
Tokunbo Ajasa-Oluwa, Career Ready CEO added:
“We are incredibly thankful to Sandy for his leadership and oversight over the last six years. He has been instrumental in helping to grow Career Ready into the organisation it is today, and he leaves behind a legacy of young lives that have been transformed across the UK.”
“I’m delighted to be welcoming James as our new Chair. I have no doubt that his vast leadership and business experience will enable us to grow our reach and deepen our impact.”
Career Ready is a social mobility charity that works in partnership with employers to deliver a programme of a paid internship and mentor from a single organisation, along with skills masterclasses and workplace visits, for young people aged 15-18. Last year, Career Ready supported 4,240 young people in partnership with 384 employers and 2,200 volunteers.
To find out more contact tom.rippon@careerready.org.uk, Head of Communications.
