National financial and enterprise education charity Young Enterprise has appointed Sarah Porretta as its next CEO.
Porretta, currently deputy CEO at Fair4All Finance, will take over from Sharon Davies – who has been at the charity for 15 years – in November.
Her appointment coincides with the charity’s new ‘Transforming Futures 2024-30’ strategy, which focuses on the long-term impact Young Enterprise programmes and services can make to both productivity and social mobility.
Porretta brings 25 years of private and public sector experience and specialises in strategy, stakeholder engagement and innovation, including previous positions at the Money and Pensions Service, where she led the development of the UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing, and Lloyds Banking Group, where she set up the group’s financial inclusion function.
Having served as CEO for the past five years, Davies is planning to spend some time out before considering her next move.
“It has been an honour to serve alongside and learn from an incredible team of volunteers and staff at Young Enterprise over the last 15 years,” said Davies.
“I’m hugely proud of the contribution we’ve made as a team to increasing young people’s access to opportunities and have been privileged to witness first-hand the impact Young Enterprise has had in changing so many lives.”
Porretta commented: “I am very excited to join Young Enterprise and build on the excellent work Sharon has done to strengthen the charity and demonstrate its impact on social mobility, something I am personally passionate about.
“Throughout my career I have seen first-hand the transformative power of listening to, collaborating with and investing in young people to set them up for future success.
“With social mobility, enterprise and financial education firmly on the national agenda for the years ahead, I look forward to working with colleagues and volunteers to ensure that the new strategy reaches and transforms the lives of young people across England and Wales.”