Forum 2007 – Emma Harrison
A Welcome and inspiring words from Emma Harrison, Chairman of The FSI
Pauline Broomhead, Chief Executive of The FSI, opened the Sharing the Best Forum with a welcome to all delegates.
Emma Harrison, Chairman of A4e and Chairman of Trustees for The FSI, offered words of inspiration and vision. Emma talked of starting her entrepreneurial career by running a tuck shop at school, and when she wanted to graduate to work as an engineer it wasn’t seen as a girls job. Despite this, Emma began a degree at Bradford University in Engineering, persuading British Steel to sponsor her education.
Emma’s father founded the Industrial Training Agency to provide training to those made unemployed by the closure of the local steel works. After University, Emma’s father handed over the business, and then moved to Germany and it took just a year for Emma’s talents to turn it into a £1million business. When Emma’s father returned he wanted to consolidate the business to fund his retirement so she walked away and started again from scratch.
Emma founded A4e, an international business and market leader in global public service reform, and set out to diversify the work they took on. Emma appointed Mark Lovell, a former graduate trainee, as CEO in 1996 to take on the responsibility of running A4e, but she is still involved with A4e on a day to day basis, shaping the vision, values and direction of the company, as well as leading of A4e into many new delivery areas and many international markets.
Emma spoke about her passion for making a difference and the inspiration for setting up The FSI to be able to support small charities and the remarkable work they do.
A4e is a successful international business and a market leader in global public service reform. The company works with government and the private and third sectors to design, develop and deliver front line public services that benefit individuals, organisations and communities.
www.a4e.co.uk
