IWC Founder named as one of Grant Thornton’s Faces of a Vibrant Economy

Grant Thornton unveils 2018 Faces of a Vibrant Economy

N.B. EMBARGOED UNTIL 00.01 13/11/18

Campaign highlights leaders who inspire by example and show how better business can be done

Yorkshire business leader, Anj Handa, has been selected as one of Grant Thornton’s 2018 100 Faces of a Vibrant Economy.

An award-winning social entrepreneur, Anj is the Founder of women changemaker movement, Inspiring Women Changemakers and is a trailblazer in the field of social impact and inclusion. Since 2003, she has helped countless organisations boost their reputation and reach through the development of sustainable diversity and CSR programmes.

As part of Grant Thornton’s commitment to shaping a vibrant economy in the UK, each year the firm identifies and brings together 100 progressive leaders across private, public and third sectors that demonstrate excellence in two or more of the following areas:

• Growth – fostering a culture of growth, job creation and leading their organisation into new markets
• Innovation – solving problems, leaders whose products or services are disrupting the sector and challenging the status quo
• Purpose – investing in their workforce, connecting financial profit to social purpose and contributing to the wider community

The Faces of a Vibrant Economy are selected from across the UK and represent diverse sectors and industries.  Among them are business leaders, entrepreneurs, local government innovators and third sector trailblazers – recognised for their commitment to developing an economy that enables people, organisations and communities to flourish.

Anj says “I am honoured to be part of the Faces campaign, which is aligned with my personal values. Since 2003, I have worked to create meaningful business-led partnerships with the public, private and voluntary and community sector and where the voices of individuals are heard. I love to demonstrate how organisational purpose leads to enhanced performance – and profitability.

I look forward to connecting with Faces of this and previous years. We have the opportunity to harness our collective influence and contacts to drive positive social change.”

Sacha Romanovitch, CEO at Grant Thornton UK LLP, said:

“At Grant Thornton, we know that doing well by doing good makes business sense and believe that leaders embracing this ethos deserve to be championed. That’s why we launched the Faces campaign – to celebrate individuals who exemplify the Vibrant Economy movement, which aims to shape an environment where people, organisations and communities thrive.

“From jet aircraft manufacturers, farmers, local government leaders dance school principals; our Faces share the same commitment to make a positive impact. For many of these leaders, clear purpose is the North Star, helping them to navigate and make the right decisions in the longer term. Being purpose-led in this way involves a fundamental mind-set shift from ‘what I can do’, towards ‘what we collectively can do’.

“By celebrating these remarkable leaders, we recognise their role in developing a more purposeful and innovative business environment. They show us how business can be done through ‘human’ leadership which nurtures talent.  They provide examples to inspire other business leaders and the next generation to shape a Vibrant Economy. They demonstrate that profits with purpose lead to sustainable business, and show us that it’s not only possible, but also necessary, to do well by doing good.”

The 2018 Faces have become part of a wider community that is now 300-strong. The community connects leaders with similar mind-sets and missions, who may otherwise never meet. It gives an opportunity to share ideas and insights, as well as learn from each other.

Five aspiring student photographers worked alongside a professional photographer and mentor from JSR Agency to undertake portrait photography of the leaders of these organisations. These talented artists were selected as part of a nationwide competition to complete the commission.

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