Founders4Schools, a GovTech charity operating in the education space, today announces the appointment of Stewart Carruth to the position of Chief Executive Officer. The new CEO will be responsible for delivering on the charity’s ambitious 2022 UN Sustainability Impact Goals, to narrow skills gaps in primary and secondary education and prepare young people for the world of work by connecting them with inspirational business leaders.
Formerly Chief Executive, Stirling Council, Stewart Carruth was instrumental in bringing Founders4Schools to Scotland where the charity has now rolled out nationally. He comes to us with an impressive pedigree across a range of organisations and sectors, including PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Scottish Cities Alliance and Aberdeen City Council. He has delivered several large-scale and complex projects including negotiating a £95 million “City Region” deal with a range of private and public sector partners, including the UK and Scottish Governments, crafting an entrepreneurial vision of digital led growth using private sector and education development capacities with a focus on young people.
He is a Board member of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) and a member of Entrepreneurial Scotland.
On his appointment, Sherry Coutu, CBE, Founder & Chair, Founders4Schools, said: “I am delighted to welcome Stewart to Founders4Schools. He is an inspirational leader and shares our values and ambition for growth. I am thrilled to have attracted a world-class professional CEO to join us to steward the continued scaling of our hugely successful charity. Stewart’s arrival will see me continue as Chair of Founders4Schools and allow me to turn my focus towards scaling up our B2C work experience service (Workfinder) and leading exploratory discussions with partners regarding international expansion.”
Coutu continues: “Workfinder is the solution to the huge problem of preparing young people for the world of work in a way that is accessible for everyone. I believe it will become the standard tool of choice for course-required, weekend and holiday jobs, internships, apprenticeships and graduate schemes for under-25-year-olds. “We want to create a new definition for work experience that becomes a ‘currency’ for recruitment”
Stewart’s responsibilities include shaping strategy for Founders4Schools to drive growth and the next phase of its development.
On his appointment, Stewart Carruth said: : “I am delighted to join Founders4Schools at this exciting point in their journey. It is a real privilege to be appointed to lead an organisation of such high calibre, to work with the Chair, Trustees, staff and Advisors to build on its current success and to provide meaningful opportunities for young people in the world of technology.”
He joins Founders4Schools on 5th March.