Ahead Partnership Leeds Appoints Directors as Skills Firm Grows

Ahead Partnership Leeds adds Caroline Harrison and Emily Large to its board as the social value firm expands its programmes connecting young people to careers in the built environment

Ahead Partnership Leeds, the social value firm that connects young people to careers in the built environment, has appointed two new directors as it continues to expand its programmes across the UK. Caroline Harrison, who brings more than 30 years of senior leadership experience in charity governance and community programmes, and Emily Large, currently finance director at video games firm Sumo and formerly of PwC and Wilko, join the board of the organisation founded in Leeds more than 20 years ago by Stephanie Burras. Ahead Partnership Leeds works with some of the UK’s most prominent developers and asset managers including Landsec, Hammerson, Grosvenor, British Land, and SEGRO to reduce the built environment skills gap and improve social mobility.

Why This Matters For Leeds

Two new directors with senior leadership credentials signal the organisation is scaling to meet growing demand for social value delivery.

Who Ahead Partnership Leeds Works With

Founded by Stephanie Burras, Ahead Partnership has grown from a small Leeds initiative into a national organisation with more than 50 team members. It designs and delivers employability and skills programmes that connect young people to careers in the built environment, working in partnership with employers, educators, and public sector leaders. The appointments follow a series of programme wins, including a partnership with Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust in Leeds supported by Caddick, focused on early intervention for young people at risk of disengaging from education and employment.

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“Caroline and Emily both bring outstanding experience deep personal commitment and a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing young people today. Their insight will be invaluable as we strengthen our partnerships increase our reach and continue to support even more young people to build confident ambitious futures.”

— Stephanie Burras, Founder, Ahead Partnership

Strengthening the Board

Caroline Harrison brings three decades of industry experience in charity governance, partnership development, and large-scale community programmes. She said the mission and values of Ahead Partnership reflect everything she stands for and believes in. Meanwhile, Emily Large trained with PwC before progressing into senior finance roles at Wilko and is currently finance director at Sumo, the video games and entertainment development company. She said she is passionate about social mobility and giving young people the tools and insight they need to succeed. The appointments position Ahead Partnership to grow its impact at a time when social value requirements in planning and procurement are increasing across the built environment sector.