We pioneered the Board Fellow scheme back in 2014, committing to recruiting people under the age of 30 to join our Board. Fellows are offered a two-year role, with plenty of opportunity to learn and grow, and are mentored by long-serving, experienced Trustees. Whilst the Fellow role is a non-voting role, Spark Inside, alongside its Trustees, are dedicated to fostering a culture and environment where Fellows’ contributions and insights are valued equally to that of full Trustees. Fellows participate fully in the work of the Board, and the ambition is for them to become full Trustees of Spark Inside following the conclusion of their term.
We benefit enormously from the expertise of our Board Fellows, and we are extremely proud to have pioneered such an initiative, which is hugely positive for our own growth as well as that of Fellows.
Tiwa Akimlemibola, who was our very first Board Fellow back in 2014, had this to say about her experience:
“I joined Spark Inside as a Board Fellow at the age of 28 and became full Trustee just over a year later. I went on to become the Treasurer after a couple of years, serving a total of 6 years on the Board of Spark Inside. In those years my confidence grew exponentially as I recognised how my skills and opinions were incredibly useful to the organisation. I matured by acquiring a great deal of knowledge, skills and new perspective/insights by working with a group of diverse, knowledgeable, passionate, and talented board members.
I’m still very much active in the not-for-profit sector. I’m currently on the Board of a charitable organisation for artists and I’m a member of the Credit Panel for NatWest Social and Community Capital.”
Since 2014 we are proud to have counted eight Board Fellows among our team, two of whom still serve today as full Trustees.
One such former Fellow is Spark Inside Trustee, Stephanie Davin. She had this to say about her experience:
“When I joined Spark Inside as a Board Fellow, I was aware that I had less professional and life experience than the full Trustees and was there to learn. However, it was also immediately clear that the Board wanted to learn from us and ensure that we could contribute and express our opinions.
I think the Fellowship programme is a really effective way to diversify a Board and allow people to grow into a role. I’m delighted to now be a Trustee as we welcome the new Board Fellows — who I know will bring so much to Spark Inside.”
We hope you will join us in extending the warmest of welcomes to our newest Board Fellows, Kennes and Sam, and we are so pleased that they are joining Team Spark!
