Future First is a social-purpose business working to increase social mobility by building alumni communities around state schools to inspire and inform young people about their futures.

In the UK more than in any other developed country if your parents are poor then you are likely to be too.

With the lowest levels of social mobility in the OECD, young people across the UK are having their potential limited. This waste of talent helps no one.

Relatable role models, careers education and access to opportunities can be vital in equipping young people with the aspiration and information they need to succeed, to end cycles of underachievement and to overcome barriers to fulfilling employment.

Future First engages former students with their old schools to unlock social capital and empower community networks, giving young people access to the inspiration, information and opportunities that may otherwise be closed to them.

Future First was founded by a team of state school graduates, motivated by their own experiences and desires to improve the support offered to young people at school as they consider their futures.

Today, supported by thought leaders such as the Sutton Trust and calling upon an advisory council of experts, Future First is working across the UK to ensure that a young person’s talent, and not their background, is what determines their future.

Meet the team

Click on a team member to read their biography.

Alex Shapland-Howes

Managing Director

Alex joined Future First after spending several years teaching Maths in schools across London, first as part of Teach First and then progressing to be Head of Year at the London Academy Edgware. Most recently, Alex was Head of Maths at the Petchey Academy in Hackney where he was one of the youngest heads of department in London. Alex has also served as a trustee of Teach First so brings with him a passion for and knowledge of how to drive change and improvement in the sector. Alex has a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Warwick.

Jake Hayman

Director

Jake founded The Social Investment Consultancy (TSIC) in 2007 and holds the role of Chief Executive Officer of its European operations. TSIC is a philanthropy and strategy consulting firm helping bridge the gap between the for- and non-profit worlds. Previously, Jake co-founded OneVoice Europe the UK branch of the OneVoice Movement, a Middle East conflict resolution group. In 2010, Jake was awarded a scholarship to study social enterprise on Columbia Business School¹s intensive executive education programme. Jake now also serves as CEO of Future First's sister organisation, Future First Communities.

Annie Spar

Chief Operating Officer

Annie Spar joined Future First in 2011 following a career in marketing and management at US-based telecommunications firm Verizon. She has extensive experience of managing teams both professionally and as a volunteer. Outside of Future First, Annie serves as the Chair of Trustees for the charity OneVoice Europe and has volunteered in a variety of positions at the American School in London where her children attend. Now based in London, she holds a BA in Philosophy from Vassar College and an MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University.

Nynke Brett

Head of Corporate Partnerships

Nynke brings significant experience in building networks and partnerships in the social enterprise and private sector to the team. Nynke joined Future First in 2011 from UnLtd, where she founded UnLtd Connect - a UK wide business mentoring and volunteer network that successfully engages multinational companies in supporting social entrepreneurs through specifically tailored CSR programmes. Nynke is also a certified coach in personal development and founder of Namla Coaching. She is a graduate of the Common Purpose Real Edge Leadership programme and has a degree in Development Studies from the University of East Anglia.

Nick Wigmore

Senior Programme Officer

Nick joined Future First in 2010 as a Programme Officer, bringing with him 10 years of experience in youth work in both the UK and the US. Nick is a qualified sports teacher, having passed his FA Level 1 Coaching certificate in 2004 and subsequently his Level 2, Level 3 and UEFA B Football Coaching Licenses. Nick studied at William Ellis School, one of Future First’s pilot schools and longest standing clients. Nick joined Future First as a volunteer when it launched in 2008 before joining as a temporary staff member, then being promoted to full time. He is responsible for running Future First activities in schools in Haringey, Tower Hamlets, Hounslow and Future First’s school outside London at Frinton on Sea.

Talia Beni-Randall

Senior Programme Officer

Talia brings significant experience in youth work, programme delivery and project management to her role as Camden Programme Officer for Future First. Talia joined Future First from Envision where she supported young people in making a difference to their communities and managed the Envision Grad Programme, a volunteer programme for 16 – 25 year olds. Talia has a degree in Geography and International Development from the University of Sussex and is currently studying part-time at Central St. Martins College of Art and Design. She is an Associate Poet at the Roundhouse Theatre in London.

Avais Qureshi

Programme Officer

Avais joined Future First in 2011, as a Programme Officer to deliver the Future First programme across our network of schools. He joined Future First from ENGAGE, a think tank which focuses on increasing British Muslims’ education of and participation in political, media and civic organisations. Avais brings with him experience from working in Higher Education and has a degree in Politics and Economics from Brunel University.

Laura Partridge

Programme Officer

Laura joined Future First in 2011 as a Programme Officer on the school delivery team and supporting the Corporate Partnerships team. She brings varied experience from both the private and public sectors to Future First, including working with young people and on the governmental ‘Routes into Languages’ initiative. Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in French and Spanish from University College London and a Master’s degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Oxford.

Joe Kenyon

Associate

A social entrepreneur, Joe was part of the original founding team at Future First, helping launch the pilot programme in North London comprehensive schools. Involved in all aspects of Future First’s work, Joe is currently developing the ways in which Future First works with its corporate clients. He has experience in both the profit and not-for-profit sectors as well as considerable branding, marketing and design experience.

Click on a team member to read their biography.

Ana Caistor Arendar

Director

Chris White

Director (Non-Exec)

Chris White is the Managing Director of Unleashing Potential, an independent people management consultancy helping organisations sustain profitability by focusing positively on the talents and strengths of their people. Chris has over 20 years professional experience working with a diverse mix of clients and sectors ranging from large global blue chips to local start-ups. In the last 5 years he has increasingly worked with Corporate and Private Foundations in developing their sustainable social investment strategies with particular reference to employee engagement.

Sonny Leong

Director (Chair, Non-Exec)

Sonny is a publisher, with 25 years experience in the sector. He founded Cavendish Print and developed it to be the largest independent academic law publisher in the UK before it was acquired by Informa PLC. Sonny is the Ambassador for the Help the Aged promoting their policies to Ministers and MPs and Peers. He is Council member and chair of the publishing division of the Singapore-British Business Council (SBBC).

Sarabajaya Kumar

Director (Non-Exec)

Sarabajaya is a Teaching Fellow at University College London, where she teaches Voluntary Sector Policy. She is also an Associate Fellow at Centre for Science, Innovation and Society at the University of Oxford. As well as being on Future First’s board, Sarabajaya is a Governor at Mulberry School for Girls in Tower Hamlets and is an advisor to both the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and the Institute of Volunteering Research.

Deji Davies

Director (Non-Exec)

Deji is a Vice President at J.P. Morgan, working on the European Loan Trading desk. A supporter of Future First since he joined the alumni network at in his old school in 2008, Deji joined the board in 2010. Deji is the founder of a mentoring programme between J.P. Morgan and South Camden Community School, encouraging City workers to engage with and support young people at the school. He has a degree from Oxford University in Economics and Management.