When did you join ELBA?
June 2018, however, I previously spent three years working at London Works, so I’ve been part the family for almost 7 years now.

What is your role and what does it involve?
My role as Project Manager is essentially to help the east London community into employment and training via the Employment team’s amazing projects. I’ve been very fortunate over my four years in this role to be exposed to a wide and varied array of projects, such as finding a diverse talent pool for a fantastic commodity trading company, as well as working closely with ELBA’s corporate clients and community partners to address youth unemployment during the pandemic via our EDGE project.

Three words to describe yourself: Dedicated, Driven and Fun

Tell us one thing that people may not know about you:
I’ve had a diverse career so far from starting in the military, to then working in private security where I was blessed to meet some incredible individuals, such as the British Royal Family. I then started a Data Protection business with a friend, which was and still is hugely successful – still running today some 19 years later! But an interesting fact is I’m the grandson of a man named William Cantlie who, along with a few colleagues, devised the HAZCHEM code, which is a warning plate system used when transporting hazardous substances, and aids the emergency services into what actions to take if there’s an accident or fire. You’ll notice the orange plate on the side of any petrol tanker and this system is currently used in many countries worldwide and has saved millions of lives since its inception in the 1970’s.

Tell us the best thing about working for ELBA:
ELBA’s unified approach to helping and making a difference to the east London community. Every team in ELBA and every person – whether you’re a coordinator, manager, director or the CEO – has the same dedicated passionate approach about making a positive impact. Some people will go to work because they have to, I go to work because I want to – what my colleagues and I do each day matters.

Name your favourite place in east London and why:
Well, I’m a south London lad born and raised, but since working at ELBA I have been warmly received by the east London community. Rather than a particular place, I think it’s the people and their natural ability to make you feel so welcome that I adore. Whilst working on a project at WorkPath, I was greeted by some amazing people who took the time to show me around the area, invite me to local eateries and share traditional customs, which meant a lot to me. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing and being involved in different things in different boroughs of east London and each one leaves its happy mark on what east London is – a vibrant place full of diversity and the friendliest people.

Complete this sentence ‘The absolute best thing about volunteering is…’:
The knowledge that you’re doing something to help and improve a situation, which brings a lot of joy and happiness. ELBA’s Annual Toy Appeal is probably my most favoured volunteering moment as it brings so many people from every walk of life together. When you see the results of all the hard work, you really do appreciate the word ‘volunteer’ a lot more.