Leading figures welcomed

GCU LONDON welcomed leading figures from the business industry as part of the UpRising Leadership Programme’s brand new Emerging Leaders Network.

The postgraduate campus of Glasgow Caledonian University – based in London’s east end, which is home to hundreds of up-and-coming entrepreneurs – played host to the Young Foundation, which invited local young people, who have shown entrepreneurial spirit, along to the event on Monday December 3. They had the opportunity to listen to inspiring talks and receive one-to-one mentoring sessions with some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs and business people.

GCU's vision is to be a successful international university delivering access and excellence, with a strong commitment to the common good, and as such it was delighted to host such a dynamic organisation on the London campus as part of its alumni mentoring induction programme on the 3rd December 2012.

The programme is dedicated to supporting and building the capability of young adults throughout London and seeks to create the next generation of effective and connected leaders across the public, private and voluntary sectors. UpRising’s combination of leadership training, mentoring and campaigning allows young people to gain personally from the programme, as well as giving back to their local community at the same time. Participants to the course are selected on the basis of a rigorous assessment and undertake a one year programme with the Foundation.

UpRising’s Emerging Leaders Network (ELN) is a group of 300+ young, talented, diverse and committed emerging leaders who exemplify the values Britons want in their leaders. All emerging leaders in the network are graduates of the UpRising Leadership programme and have demonstrated an on-going commitment to positive social change, both nationally and in their communities.

From among the network’s members, a group of 30 emerging leaders will be selected as UpRising Fellows. In addition to holding their own jobs, the fellows will undertake intense training, coaching and mentoring from high profile figures in British public life to continue to develop their talent and skills.

Stephen Holt, head of GCU London, said he was delighted to be involved in such an innovative programme.

He added: “There is a lot of young talent and great business minds in London and many of them are overlooked. The UpRising Leadership Programme is a great way to uncover and encourage, entrepreneurial skills in young adults.

“GCU London is very supportive of young up-and-coming entrepreneurs and we offer MSc courses in International Business and Management for those who wish to expand their skills and knowledge even further.

“We were absolutely delighted to play a part in today’s programme launch and I hope this will lead to a long successful partnership with the UpRising Leadership Programme.”

Rushanara Ali, MP Bethnal Green & Bow, chair of the UpRising board of trustees, said: “There has never been a greater need to identify and nurture young talent wherever it is found. However, with this great need comes a great opportunity: an opportunity to develop the enormous pool of promise that lies beyond the often limited networks from which our leaders are currently drawn.

“I’d like to extend my thanks to GCU London for allowing us to hold our programme launch on campus. The professors and lecturers are very committed to encouraging talent and I am delighted to have them on board.”

Among the mentors in this year’s programme are Vikash Gupta from Barclays, John Cassy, director of Sky 3D, Susan Angoy, managing director of Sweet & Wicked Cupcakes, entrepreneur David Joseph, and restaurateur Dela Foster.

GCU London has earned an international reputation for the high quality of its fashion, marketing and retailing programmes, which equip students with the creative and practical skills that are vital for professionals working in fashion marketing and brand management. GCU London offers an MSc in International Fashion Marketing and was the first university in the UK to offer a MA in Luxury Brand Marketing.