OC&C Partner Nicholas Farhi appointed new Chair of UnLtd
Non-profit organisation management firm UnLtd has confirmed the hiring of an OC&C Partner as its new Chair. The long-standing trustee of the group joins new Deputy Chair Sue Charteris at the head of UnLtd’s Board of Trustees.
UnLtd is the leading provider of support to social entrepreneurs in the UK, offering the largest such network in the world. The group resources nearly 1,000 individuals each year through its core Awards programme, operating a unique model by investing directly in individuals and offering a complete package of resources in the process. UnLtd’s awards consist of funding between £500 and £15,000, ongoing advice, networking and practical support, in order to assist social entrepreneurs.
Nicholas Farhi, a Partner at OC&C Strategy Consultants, has been a Trustee at UnLtd since 2014, and has been handed the rank of Chairman of the group’s board, having previously led UnLtd’s Strategy & Development Committee. In that capacity, Farhi helped to steer the direction of UnLtd’s Going Mainstream strategy, with the introduction of three focus areas of impact, and develop UnLtd’s three year aim of becoming a £25 million investment fund.
Farhi has been with OC&C for 16 years, working with CEOs to maximise the long-run potential of their organisations. He will retain his role at the firm, alongside a number of other social enterprise and start-up commitments to his name. Farhi has been an active angel investor at a total of seven start-ups since 2013, including in two social enterprises.
Serving UnLtd alongside new Deputy Chair Sue Charteris, Farhi will now head the group’s board as it continues to grow its reputation for assisting innovative companies. His appointment comes after Martin Wyn Griffith, a trustee since 2008 and Chair of the Board of Trustees since 2013, completed his third full term in office, the maximum allowed.
The outgoing Wyn Griffith said, “It has been a privilege to be part of UnLtd’s development over the last ten years and to have had the opportunity as Chair to lead a talented and committed team of Trustees to make the organisation fitter for the future… My successor, Nic Farhi, is deeply committed to the organisation and brings his considerable knowledge and skills to the role of Chair. He will be very ably supported by Sue who has been at the heart of our Board for the last four years. I look forward to an even brighter future for all those who believe in the huge contribution social entrepreneurs can make to tackling today’s challenges.”
Mark Norbury, UnLtd CEO, remarked, “I’d like to thank Martin for all the time, energy and expertise he has given to UnLtd over the past decade. Under his leadership, UnLtd’s governance has been transformed… UnLtd already greatly benefits from the passion and commitment of Nic and Sue, who have both been instrumental in setting our strategic direction and accelerating our impact. We’re looking forward to working even more closely with them.”
Commenting on his appointment, Farhi himself added,“We need social entrepreneurs and their innovative solutions now more than ever… Organisations like UnLtd are working hard to help them overcome those barriers, and to truly take social entrepreneurship mainstream. I am honoured to be able to help UnLtd in delivering these goals, and to help social entrepreneurs play a major role in changing society for the better.”
