Clore Social Leadership Programme appoints first Specialist Migrant Communities Fellow

Clore Social Leadership

On Tuesday 3rd November the Clore Duffield Foundation announced that they had selected the CEO of Ashley Community Housing, Fuad Mahamed, to join their 2016 Clore Social Leadership Programme. A record 239 aspiring leaders competed for a place on the Fellowship and Fuad was one of the 24 Fellows appointed.

Founded in October 2008, the Clore Social Leadership Programme aims to grow and develop the leadership capability of “tomorrow's world changers". This year, Clore Social worked with partners to offer new Specialist Fellowships and awarded Fuad with their first Specialist Migrant Communities Fellowship supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation – a lead contributor of funding to refugees in the UK. The Foundation state:

"In all the areas where we want to achieve impact, change often comes about because of the application of good ideas by passionate people."

Fuad's Story

Fuad is the founder and CEO of Ashley Community Housing (ACH), a social enterprise established in Bristol in 2008. Fuad came to the UK in 1998 after fleeing war-torn Somalia. At just 16 he became responsible for his family and overcame huge personal challenges to graduate with a first class degree and secure a role as a financial analyst.

After leaving the corporate sector Fuad set up ACH in order to support the resettlement of refugees like himself. Fuad transformed ACH from a team of 4 to a team of over 30 employed full-time staff who support over 1,000 tenants and learners each year in the West of England and the West Midlands.

Impact and Influence

The success of past Clore Social leaders highlights the impact of the programme which has enhanced the skills of past Fellows such as Jacqueline Williamson. Jacqueline used her Fellowship with Clore to help her successfully change social legislation in Northern Ireland which ensures kinship carers receive adequate support.

It is this kind of widespread impact and influence which will allow Fuad to excel as a leader and a facilitator of change. The Fellowship is also a unique opportunity for Fuad to elevate and promote ACH's commitment to refugee resettlement on a world stage, at a time when resettlement services are essential in managing the ongoing European refugee crisis.

Humbled

Fuad Mahamed commented on receiving the Fellowship:

''I am very humbled to be selected as the Clore Social Fellow for Migrant Communities. I want to use the fellowship to influence policies regarding refugee resettlement and their integration into local communities and the economy.''

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

• Ashley Community Housing (ACH) was established in 2008 and is a leading specialist housing and training provider with offices in Bristol and Birmingham
• In the last 8 years ACH has grown from a team of 4 to a team of over 30 employed full-time staff who are a core part of this £3 million organisation
• The organisation has now successfully re-housed over 1,200 previously homeless refugees
• Ashley Community Housing is a social enterprise limited by guarantee and is registered with the Homes and Communities Agency as a social housing provider
• Find out more at: http://www.ashleyhousing.com

Media Enquiries

Please email: shaun.hickman@ashleyhousing.com or call: 0117 954 0433