Emerging Leaders program launches to help fund and mentor cream of the crop in fresh produce charities

The next generation of leaders working in charities and not-for-profit organizations in the fresh produce sector can now apply for a round of funding and a series of one-to-one mentoring sessions that will help them progress their career. The Emerging Leaders program – sponsored by Eden Search & Select – launches today and is offering one future leader in the global food supply chain the chance to access £3000 of funding to help pay for training and/or development project of their choice.
 
This exciting new initiative is designed to support the invaluable work that not-for-profit organizations and charities undertake and help the next generation of leadership talent realize their full potential. The successful individual will be able to use the funding to pay for an academic qualification, a vocational course, or a research project that will make a genuine difference to the industry they work in. They will also be eligible for four one-hour mentoring sessions with industry sector specialists including company founders, CEOs, and senior leaders.
 
The launch of the Emerging Leaders program is timely – given the immense pressure, many charities have been put under by the pandemic. Recent research conducted by The Charity Commission[1] revealed that nearly all charities were impacted by the pandemic with more than 90% saying that there had been a negative impact on service delivery, finances, staff, and morale – caused by months of frustration and uncertainty.
 
Explaining more, David Macaulay, Managing Director of Eden Search & Select, said: “Our emerging leaders program will help charities and not-for-profits unlock the potential of team members, who have already been identified as the leaders of tomorrow. Working across fresh produce for more than a decade, we’ve wanted to run a scheme of this kind for some time. As we approach the start of 2022, it feels like there is no better time to get this off the ground. The past two have been difficult for everyone in business – but particularly for charities. While many not-for-profit organizations have proved resilient in the face of COVID, and have adapted their services accordingly, there has, undoubtedly, been a knock-on effect on training and development budgets. As a business, with a large network of leadership contacts across the sector, we feel extremely well placed to support future leaders coming through and are excited to review the applications we receive from candidates.”
 
The Emerging Leaders Program will be led by industry veteran Richard Macdonald. Non-Executive Chairman of Eden Search & Select, Richard is also Deputy Chairman of the Environment Agency. With 40 years of experience in agribusiness and associated industries, Richard’s knowledge and insights will prove invaluable to applicants and the candidates that are shortlisted for the Emerging Leaders program.

Who is eligible to apply? 

• Individuals working within a not-for-profit organization/charity in agritech, fresh, protein and plant-based, food manufacturing sectors in the UK or internationally
• Individuals who can demonstrate significant experience in senior management position(s)
• Individuals who have experienced rapid career progression and have a clear view of the external support they require to continue the trajectory into leadership/board positions.

How do you apply?

Applicants should send their CV and a 500-word summary, answering the following key questions:

• What are the challenges you would like to solve within the industry?
• What training/development would you need to achieve this?
• Why will this make a difference to you and the industry in the longer term?

All applicants need to confirm they are supported by a company ‘sponsor’ e.g., a line manager and /or HRDs when they make their application (including in respect of time out of their businesses if they are successful in the process). Successful applicant sponsors will have the opportunity to review and approve the mentor list at the start of the program to ensure no conflict of interest. The deadline for applications is 23:59 on 31st January 2022. Applications should be emailed to: emergingleaders@edensearch.co.uk
 
What happens after the application deadline?
An independent panel, led by Richard Macdonald, will review all applications by 28th February 2022 and then shortlist three applicants for 30-minute interviews during March 2022. The decisions of the panel are final. After the interviews, one person will be then selected for the award and the other two shortlisted candidates will be enrolled for a standalone mentoring program with 4 x 1hr sessions to support their industry initiatives within the 12 months following 1 May 2022.
 
For further details click here.