Stephanie Burras

Chief Executive @Ahead Partnership

Leeds, GB

I founded Ahead in 2004 to help businesses to target their social value activity at overcoming crushing socio-economic inequality. Ahead grew out of work that I had myself done as a business volunteer which involved long-term mentoring of young people in the care system. Our education-focused business partnership programmes integrate the world of business with the world of education. We specialise in creating bespoke education programmes for our partners that help deliver their ESG (Environmental, Societal, Governance) objectives. Focusing on sectors with growth potential, such as technology, business services, greener futures, built environment, transport and health and care, we create hands-on partnerships that help employers to develop their local talent pipeline and diversify their future workforce.Our national team is 50-strong and we are headquartered in Leeds.In 2024 I was appointed a member of council at the University of Leeds. I was awarded an Honorary Fellowship at Leeds Trinity University in 2018 and appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen\'s Birthday Honours List 2014. I am a keen musician and am harpist with the Harrogate Philharmonic Orchestra. Having taken up the harp as a “late learner” there is a great deal to master. I study with Olga Shevelevich in Germany and teach people who are taking up the harp later in life.