Now a staple of the On Purpose blog, the People On Purpose series has been running nearly as long as the organisation. It’s yet to achieve the cult status of Desert Island Discs, but the format of seven simple questions is our nod of recognition to the ultimate accolade in someone’s career.

David Walker

David Walker joined On Purpose’s Advisory Board in 2012 having led Clifford Chance’s pro bono offer to On Purpose since 2011. He is now a partner at international law firm Latham & Watkins. He often delights the On Purpose core team with his quick-fire response to emails, and personally marking-up On Purpose’s important, but rather less lucrative legal papers. We just wish we could be of more help to him when it comes to office chair user manuals.

Why do you do the job you do?

I enjoy the challenge of applying the technical aspects of the law to commercial problems faceed by clients. I specialise in private equity and like working with owner managers of businesses; I am one of the few who believe that private equity can be a force for good

What are you most proud of?

My family

What keeps you awake at night?

Almost nothing can keep me awake at night. I am always exhausted by the time my head hits the pillow

What were you doing 5 years ago?

I was a Partner at international law firm, Clifford Chance

What do you expect to be doing in 5 years’ time?

Continuing to be a Partner at Latham & Watkins, another international law firm, and hopefully contributing to the continued success of On Purpose

If you were Prime Minister for the day, what would you do?

Call my best clients and ask them what they need

Why are you involved with On Purpose?

I find the prospect of having highly motivated, ambitious, talented people working for social enterprises incredibly exciting and believe this will ultimately change the way that charities and other not for profit organisations are viewed in the community

If you’ve an idea of who deserves to be given the People On Purpose treatment, be in touch.

On Purpose’s soapbox racing team is pleased to announce its qualification to compete in the 2013 season’s most prestigious meet; the Red Bull Soapbox Race (14^th July, Alexandra Palace).

Perhaps today’s announcement should come as no surprise since the team’s campaign launched with the backing of four-times Olympic gold medallist, Matt Pinsent CBE.

Matt Pinsent, CBE backing Row-ding On Purpose’s bid

It’s only now that the team has made public how their cart will be clad for the forthcoming season; encapsulated by the term ‘Row-ding’, it takes inspiration from the Boat Race and looks set to apply it to a track-worthy vessel.

Row-ding On Purpose’s grand plan disclosed

Rivals have queried why the team, none of whom are Oxbridge educated, would choose to use the Boat Race as their source of inspiration.  Their avid supporters on the other hand have wasted no time contemplating this conundrum, but have preferred to focus their energies on contemplating the amount that will be on show when the team’s clad in Lycra.

Breaking your passion paralysis

On Purpose is currently recruiting it’s next cohort of Associates, starting in October 2013. To find out more and apply, visit here.

On the eve of our new Associates arriving in their placements, we give ourselves three days to induct them.  Of course, the process starts long before then, and continues long after, but this is the point when the seed meets the soil.

It’s a sobering thought that the integrity of some, perhaps all, of these seeds may be subverted.  The duty to nurture these Associates could feel unduly burdensome were you to consider just how sizable the hopes of the social enterprise space are for this relatively small group of people.

Starting with potential and good intentions is not enough.  The conditions, and the resolution to do good well need to be perpetually tended to.  My intention’s to illustrate this point with reference to two enterprises that were recently brought to my attention (3i and Nike).  If you loose sight of the founding principles, ivy will quickly infiltrate and sabotage a poorly managed woodland.

Induction, April 2013

Over the course of our three day induction, we try to demonstrate to the Associates the extremes of the social enterprise space that On Purpose works with.  We invite two senior folk along to lead two contrasting sessions.  The dimension along which these speakers sit varies from one cohort to the next, but in broad terms they fall along one of the following:

i. how corporates, relative to small scale (social) enterprises attempt to grapple with environmental and/or societal challenges, or;

ii. how charities are working to adopt more commercial minded approaches, relative to commercial entities looking to embed more socially-minded ways of working

The cohort most recently inducted, April 2013, were treated to an exploration of the former.  On successive days they were joined by James Parr, Creative Director and co-Founder of Imaginals (in the corporate corner), and Antony Ross, Partner and Head of the Social Entrepreneurs Fund at Bridges Ventures (in the social enterprise corner).

Strong foundations

By chance, both James and Antony each mentioned an enterprise (Nike and 3i respectively) that when founded could have quite possibly been recognised as social enterprises.  Both Nike and 3i are now a long way from their strong foundations.  I’d suggest these two mighty oaks have since been subsumed in rampant ivy.

3i roots can be found in post-war Britain when communities were decimated.  The Macmillan Committee identified SME as a useful medium to resuscitate society, consequently the state funded 3i (then named the Industrial and Commercial Finance Corporation) provided long term investment funding for these enterprises.  Now a self-proclaimed ‘leading international venture capital company’, would it be wrong for me to propose it’s lost sight of its purpose; has parasitic ivy well and truly taken hold?

Back in the day Nike’s founders, Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight, simply wanted to get people running.  The brand is a by-product that undoubtedly has since subsumed this good intention.  But, by all accounts, there’s a social intrepreneurial effort afoot with the Let’s Move initiative to rectify this record.

Lets Move: click on the image above to watch what Nike is doing

The art of forestry

I suppose On Purpose’s ecosystem of alumni and supporters works to ensure that the generous resource and attention dedicated to the Associates over the course of their year-long programme doesn’t go to waste.  In order for these acorns to reach their potential we try to hold each other to account and to keep any invasive ivy at bay.  Only time will tell though if, or how, On Purpose will deviate from its intention to grow into an ancient oak woodland.

On Purpose is currently recruiting it’s next cohort of Associates, starting in October 2013. To find out more and apply, visit here.

Lani is a trainee Occupational Psychologist interested in leadership development, career management, and the selection and identification of high potential employees. Following her MSc in Occupational Psychology she worked in Talent Management for an international financial services company, focusing on junior and senior leadership development. She joined On Purpose as Assistant Programme Manager in 2013.

Why do you do the job you do?

In order to make a positive difference in the world we need clever people to work hard at it. I like working with people who thrive on challenge and have the intelligence and drive to engage with complex problems and affect real change.

What are you most proud of?

Self-funding three years of full time post-graduate study while working to support myself at the same time.

What keeps you awake at night?

DVD box sets.

What were you doing 5 years ago?

I was completing a post graduate conversion diploma in Psychology in preparation for an MSc in Occupational Psychology. At the same time I worked as a play therapist for children with autism and did my fair share of waitressing.

What do you expect to be doing in 5 years’ time?

By then I will have qualified as a Chartered Occupational Psychologist and I hope to be working in leadership development, both on the design and delivery side.

If you were Prime Minister for the day, what would you do?

I would take all members of parliament to a natural place of beauty, probably a mountain top, to sit for a while.

Why are you involved with On Purpose?

This is an exciting time for social enterprise, with an increasing number of people realising that business can succeed while at the same time considering and managing their impact on society/the environment. There are also a lot of very clever people out there who want to use their skills to work in these businesses. It’s hard work, fun, and exciting.

Recently published on Guardian Sustainable Business blog: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/progress-your-career-sustainable-business

An inspiring speaker and regular commentator on Early Years, Social Enterprise, Child Poverty and Social Mobility, June O’Sullivan has been instrumental in achieving a major strategic and cultural shift for the award winning London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), where she has been Chief Executive since 2005. Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Director of Earlyarts, Trustee for the National Day Nursery Association and Chair of Paddington Farm Trust, June is a published author, with an MA in Primary & Early Childhood Studies and MBA from London South Bank University

Why do you do the job you do?

I like children and being a social entrepreneur because it gives me freedom to be creative. Children are so important and working with them touches on so many  other issues: healthy society, women, leadership…; children are the litmus test for what is going right or wrong in society. At LEYF we’re always looking at the best way of doing things that weave these issues together. For example we can enable parents to work, while training and employing young people directly through our apprentice programme.

June O'Sullivan at London Early Years Foundation

What are you most proud of? 

I’m most proud of our business model at LEYF. It’s not been done before. We’ve created a means of guaranteeing every child a quality experience, but can show that the impact for those from disadvantaged backgrounds is measurably enhanced.

What keeps you awake at night? 

Keeping the business afloat! And ensuring our quality is secured so children are safe physically and emotionally when they are with us.

What were you doing 5 years ago? 

I was 2 years into being a CEO: working hard to shape the business into a social enterprise. I much prefer running a business and rejected the high risk dependency that can come with the charitable model.

What do you expect to be doing in 5 years’ time? 

I’d like to have successfully grown the LEYF model so it was recognised as the best nursery option for parents and contractors. I’d also like a job in politics where I can speak my mind and remind people of what really matters – not the politicking within the Westminster village but the reality of people’s lives.

If you were Prime Minister for the day, what would you do?

I’d have a big dinner for all the staff, parents and colleagues in Early Years in one of the grand rooms in Downing St! I would love to watch their delight to be part of the upper echelons of the establishment for a few hours, not just looking through the fence. I would make apprenticeship and vocational education a tip top option and deal with the ludicrous need to over qualify people for all jobs so that it becomes a barrier to work for so many.  Review how we teach literacy and numeracy; the rates in this country are scandalous. Stop children going to school at 3 and create an integrated appropriate system of childcare for all children from 12 months old. Dismiss all quangos and unnecessary organisations that cause havoc because they want to prove their worth (lessness)! Raise the profile of lonely older people and consider better and accessible ways of supporting kinship and communal living.  Finally, introduce draconian measures to deal with litter bugs!  We need to live in clean environments and when we asked children what they dislike about being out on the streets they said rubbish, bird guano and dogs. I am with them. Dog owners will need to take a responsibility test!

Why are you involved with On Purpose?  

I met Tom at an event hosted by Bridges Ventures, and when he told me about On Purpose, I thought it was such a good idea I got us involved almost immediately.

Kanada Gorla

Kanada Gorla is the founder of Shine where she works as  a process consultant, group facilitator, 1:1 coach and leadership & change catalyser. She is vastly experienced in helping individuals to inspire themselves and allowing them to foster a higher level of performance and resilience. Kanada facilitates the annual On Purpose  Embercombe retreat, one of the highlights of the On Purpose programme.

Why do you do the job you do?

Because I can. What I mean by that is I think I’ve been fortunate enough to find work that really requires me to use all of my gifts, skills and experiences in a way that challenges me. It keeps me at the edge of my learning and growth and at the intersection of my eclectic constellation; I feel very lucky to have found work that allows me to bring what I can bring.

What are you most proud of?

It’s funny that you ask me that as it’s something I ask other people often but don’t think about much myself!

What keeps you awake at night?

Not much, I sleep like a baby!

What were you doing 5 years ago?

I was living on Vancouver Island and was leading a rather crazy life commuting to Milan leading a change programme for Unilever Italia (but then moved back to the UK the following year).

What do you expect to be doing in 5 years’ time?

Launching my son into the world. He’ll be eighteen; I’ll be getting back to my roots and exhibiting as a visual artist; I’ll also be growing lots of food at home and continuing to grow people at Embercombe.

If you were Prime Minister for the day, what would you do?

Start over man…dissolve the current system… implement sacred economics.

I’d cancel all debt. I’d make ecocide the 5^th crime against peace.

Why are you involved with On Purpose?

Because we share a common goal to inspire and direct the flow of passion, talent and skills of the people we work with into endeavours that will co create the world that works for all of its inhabitants.

Last month, the gangstas at Make Sense came to ‘hold-up’ On Purpose to help us think through some of our challenges in the coming years.  It was a bit hard to think of just what to with so many ‘post-its’ with great ideas resulting from the hold up.  There was a frenetic pace, and significantly enlivened thinking.  Wordle seemed like the only sensible option. So here’s a brief look into the minds of our On Purpose Associates and the challenges and opportunities before us.

Many thanks to Felix and Stephanie ( On Purpose Fellow, 2011) for showing us the ropes.

Here’s a blog Tom wrote for Social Enterprise Live