{"id":9059,"date":"2024-11-28T11:19:59","date_gmt":"2024-11-28T11:19:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.erjjiostudios.com\/rankfoundation\/?p=9059"},"modified":"2025-05-19T16:15:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T15:15:42","slug":"celebrating-inspiring-and-inclusive-leadership-at-the-rank-foundation-conference-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.erjjiostudios.com\/rankfoundation\/news\/celebrating-inspiring-and-inclusive-leadership-at-the-rank-foundation-conference-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating Inspiring and Inclusive Leadership at The Rank Foundation Conference 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Rank Foundation\u2019s 2024 Conference in Manchester provided Network members a space to reflect on the social sector’s progress and challenges while highlighting the enduring significance of leadership in driving change.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

David Sanderson, Chief Executive of The Rank Foundation, opened by reflecting on the past two decades, tracing the Foundation\u2019s evolution from work in Burnley in 2003 to present-day initiatives across the UK. Back then, challenges such as overcrowded prisons, a strained criminal justice system, and community tensions demanded immediate attention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two decades later, many of these issues persist, compounded by over a decade of austerity. Yet the Rank Foundation and its Network have adapted and grown into a UK-wide force for positive change.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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David said: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHere we can talk of a \u2018hard edged hope\u2019 \u2013 not the soft, idealistic perceptions that some might have about the sector \u2013 but of a hope sharpened and honed by the realities of operating in a challenging and sometimes unforgiving environment, where giving up is not an option.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The social sector is an engine room of strong, inspiring and inclusive leadership, and it is entirely fitting that this is the focus of this year\u2019s conference.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Leadership as the cornerstone of change <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The conference’s theme, \u2018Great Leaders Grow Together\u2019 was inspired by the selfless and determined leaders within The Rank Foundation\u2019s Network. From flagship programmes like Time to Shine<\/a> and Rank Aspire<\/a> to place-based projects in cities like Plymouth<\/a> and Sunderland<\/a> great leaders emerge, develop, connect communities, drive collaboration, and build resilience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This year\u2019s conference also explored the critical need for inclusive leadership to connect teams and empower individuals. Seminars and discussions underscored the importance of encouraging diverse perspectives for effective decision-making. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning from established and emerging leaders <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rank\u2019s team are very grateful to the many people who contributed to the conference this year. It couldn\u2019t happen without their generosity, expertise and creativity.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guests agreed, with 95% saying speakers were either \u201cextremely\u201d or \u201cvery\u201d engaging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The opening panel, hosted by Jordan Ignatius, Managing Director of Reaching Higher<\/a>, included Abdul Hai OBE, Director of Community Relations & Public Affairs at LabTech London Limited<\/a>; Tina Taylor, Founder of Aim Sky High<\/a>; Gemma Juma, CEO of Jack Petchey Foundation<\/a>; Simon Antrobus, CEO of Children in Need<\/a>; and Zara Todd, an activist and Co-founder of the European Network on Independent Living<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Day two\u2019s panel, hosted by Helen Kerr, Head of Business Development at WOMEN\u2019STEC<\/a>, featured Alfie Dance-Laing, a participant in the Rank Aspire programme; Maddie Hall from the Pushing Boundaries programme; Ethan Jones from the Time To Shine programme; Ilayda Bakare, a former School Leadership Award<\/a> holder and current member of the Fellowship Leadership Team; and Odiri Ighamre, CEO of KORI<\/a>, a recipient of our Major Grant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Seminars included: <\/p>\n\n\n\n