Vivify, the Manchester tech startup that helps schools hire out facilities outside teaching hours, has appointed Lisa Bower as its new head of school advocacy and engagement.
Bower, who joins from one of the company’s partner schools, Marple Hall School, has seen the positive impact Vivify can have first-hand.
She joins with 15 years of experience in education, including roles as a school business manager and CFO.
She will work closely with schools across the country in her new role, helping them make the most of their facilities to generate additional revenue.
Vivify was co-founded in 2020 by Russell Teale and today employs 500 people. It is set to grow turnover to £12m this year.
Teale bootstrapped the business until 2022, when he raised £1m from Arete, including high-profile investors Bill Currie and former Tesco CEO Sir Terry Leahy.
He was included in BusinessCloud’s Founder 250 list and said: “Lisa brings a wealth of experience which is invaluable to the team.
“One of the biggest impacts Lisa is already making is helping us all understand the size of the impact we can make to school business leaders and the children across the UK.
“Last year we generated millions of pounds that went directly back to schools.
“A huge part of Lisa’s role is to engage with more school business leaders to help them understand the very art of the possible of working with Vivify. Very exciting times.”
Teale shared his story on The Naked Founder podcast in May.
Away from work, Bower is a football fan and co-owner of FC United of Manchester.