Inspire! marks a decade of achievement and looks forward to the future

Inspire! is delighted to announce the appointment of Jonathan (Jonny) Boux as its new Director. He succeeds David Blagbrough who retires after almost nine years in the post.

Jonny joined Inspire! on 23 February from Community Links in Newham, where he spent 13 years, latterly as its Director of Employment and Training Links. This entailed managing the organisation’s schools, youth employment and apprenticeship programmes as well as its adult employability and skills development activities. He was also responsible for leading a number of government-funded projects and for income generation.

“Among my most relevant achievements was establishing Community Links as one of the most successful youth employment and skills training providers and beacons of best practice in east London over the past seven years,” he says. “I welcome the exciting opportunity to move into the pivotal role of Director with Inspire! and to build on its long and rich history of supporting the diverse young people of Hackney and its surrounding boroughs.”

David Blagbrough, Inspire!’s outgoing Director, has generously stayed on for a two-week handover before heading off for a well-earned retirement. Inspire! trustees, staff past and present, business supporters and other colleagues gave David their personal thanks and best wishes at a reception, hosted by  UBS, held to both wish David a happy retirement and to celebrate Inspire!’s 10th anniversary. It was a perfect opportunity to gather together the many friends and partners who have helped make Inspire!’s first decade so successful. To help set the scene, a brand new video about Inspire!’s work, history and mission was shown. Trustees Patsy Francis and Emma West (Chair) also made speeches commending David’s personal integrity and achievements over the past eight and a half years and the Inspire! team screened a second, ‘goodbye’ video featuring their fondest memories.

In an emotional speech, David thanked everyone for making his tenure at Inspire! so rewarding and memorable. “I’ve been amazingly lucky. In all my jobs, I’ve learned something new every day. Inspire! has been one long learning process. I’m deeply honoured that I’ve been privileged to work with some quite remarkable people, both inside and outside the organisation. I will take with me the most wonderful memories.”

As Inspire! moves into its second decade, the whole Inspire! team want to wish David a long and happy retirement. They have even made him promise to come back and visit from time to time!