Our vision

A fairer society where all young people thrive.

What we do

Purposeful Ventures partners with social entrepreneurs and philanthropists to improve the education and well-being of young people from their earliest years.

We do this by selecting, accelerating and, where we find a gap, incubating organisations which tackle particular issues. Together, we test and scale effective solutions and influence system change.

Working with us

We only provide support where we are confident we can add value. Thus, we are deliberate about who we partner with, to ensure we deliver maximum impact.

How we work

Philanthropists

We partner with visionary philanthropists and organisations that want to transform young people’s lives. We offer bespoke advice, identify opportunities and leverage investments with an evidence-based approach. Great impact starts here.

Social Ventures

We believe great impact starts with great people. As such, we deliberately partner with individuals and organisations with strong theories of change, who mirror our ambitions.

For these change makers, we offer fully individualised support, access to funding and a ‘high-challenge, high-support’ home, to turn great ideas into sustainable and successful ventures.

Our portfolios

Our society leaves too many families and young people behind. Often it is the most vulnerable members of our society who suffer.

Our Children & Families portfolio aims for every child to have the best possible start to life by strengthening early years’ provision and supporting children’s wellbeing. It also helps vulnerable young people who face tough times beyond those critical early years overcome challenges, providing opportunities for them to thrive.

Early years
Mental health and wellbeing
Vulnerable children & families

Our news

Our history

Our team has 20 years of experience working with social ventures for young people

2002

Ark founded

Ark is an educational charity founded in 2002. Ark’s early work included work on HIV and AIDS in Africa as well as child protection initiatives in Eastern Europe. Ark Schools, founded in 2006, marks the start of Ark’s focus on education, followed by the support of school programmes for curriculum mastery and school leadership.

2016

Ark Ventures founded

All Ark’s non-school initiatives and programmes were consolidated as “Ark Ventures”, focusing mainly on education. Within Ark Ventures, we helped other initiatives and charities to start, grow and deliver their impact at scale. As Ark Ventures, we supported Ambition Institute, Frontline and Global Schools Forum, amongst others.

2023

Purposeful Ventures spins out of Ark

Purposeful Ventures extends its focus beyond education to issues affecting children and young people more broadly. It increases the number of ventures it supports and deepens its relationships with funders.

Our history

Our team has 20 years of experience working with social ventures for young people

2002

Ark founded

2016

Ark Ventures founded

2023

Purposeful Ventures spins out of Ark

Our team and trustees

Michael Clark
Chief Executive
Michael is Purposeful Ventures’ founding CEO. Prior to this he was Deputy CEO of Ark, where he built and led Ark Ventures, successfully incubating 15 charities between 2012-2023. Previously, he was a junior partner at McKinsey & Company and co-led its education practice in the UK. Michael holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management.
Michael is Purposeful Ventures’ founding CEO. Prior to this he was Deputy CEO of Ark, where he built and led Ark Ventures, successfully incubating 15 charities between 2012-2023. Previously, he was a junior partner at McKinsey & Company and co-led its education practice in the UK. Michael holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management.
Cathy Hirschmann
Director of People
Cathy joined Purposeful Ventures in 2024, bringing over 25 years of organisational development and senior leadership experience across the culture and charity sectors. She previously held executive roles including Executive Director at Collective Act and Deputy Director at South London Gallery.
Cathy joined Purposeful Ventures in 2024, bringing over 25 years of organisational development and senior leadership experience across the culture and charity sectors. She previously held executive roles including Executive Director at Collective Act and Deputy Director at South London Gallery.
Gemma Rudrum
Director of Finance and Operations
Gemma is a Chartered accountant and operations director with over 20 years' experience. Starting her career in audit at Andersen and then EY, she left practice and moved to BPP working in its accountancy tutoring business, its publishing arm and she led the PGCPE at BPP University. In 2019 she joined an independent school as Finance Director and subsequently Director of Corporate Services.
Gemma is a Chartered accountant and operations director with over 20 years' experience. Starting her career in audit at Andersen and then EY, she left practice and moved to BPP working in its accountancy tutoring business, its publishing arm and she led the PGCPE at BPP University. In 2019 she joined an independent school as Finance Director and subsequently Director of Corporate Services.
Holly Piercy
Director of Philanthropy and Communications
Holly joined Purposeful Ventures in 2024. She has worked extensively with philanthropists in the education sector, having led the Development team at the charity Ark, raising funds for a range of programmes and projects, as well as their schools. Holly has worked in charities for over 15 years, including the Francis Holland Schools Trust, The Prince's Trust and Holy Trinity Brompton.
Holly joined Purposeful Ventures in 2024. She has worked extensively with philanthropists in the education sector, having led the Development team at the charity Ark, raising funds for a range of programmes and projects, as well as their schools. Holly has worked in charities for over 15 years, including the Francis Holland Schools Trust, The Prince's Trust and Holy Trinity Brompton.
Nick Darbyshire
Director of Investment
Nick is the Director of Investment at Purposeful Ventures, having joined in 2024 from the charity Impetus, where he was lead of the education sector which encompassed a portfolio of 15 charities. Prior to this, Nick worked in social impact investing, and was a partner in Oliver Wyman’s Financial Services practice for 10 years, as well as co-leading the firm’s social impact practice.
Nick is the Director of Investment at Purposeful Ventures, having joined in 2024 from the charity Impetus, where he was lead of the education sector which encompassed a portfolio of 15 charities. Prior to this, Nick worked in social impact investing, and was a partner in Oliver Wyman’s Financial Services practice for 10 years, as well as co-leading the firm’s social impact practice.
Tom O'Beirne
Director of Incubations
Tom has 15+ years of experience in education and related sectors through roles with non-profit and commercial education organisations and in consulting. Most recently, he has worked at a large online English teaching business and at a VC-backed digital assessment start-up. He is a qualified maths teacher having completed the Teach First scheme.
Tom has 15+ years of experience in education and related sectors through roles with non-profit and commercial education organisations and in consulting. Most recently, he has worked at a large online English teaching business and at a VC-backed digital assessment start-up. He is a qualified maths teacher having completed the Teach First scheme.
Libby Dangoor
Chair of Trustees
Libby Dangoor is the Chief of Staff at Multiverse. Prior to Multiverse, Libby was the Operations Director for NowTeach, a Venture Partner at Ark, a Portfolio Director at the Social Business Trust and she spent 5 years as a strategy consultant at Bain & Company. She is a school governor at Westminster Academy and Chair of the UK Advisory Board for charity PJ Library.
Libby Dangoor is the Chief of Staff at Multiverse. Prior to Multiverse, Libby was the Operations Director for NowTeach, a Venture Partner at Ark, a Portfolio Director at the Social Business Trust and she spent 5 years as a strategy consultant at Bain & Company. She is a school governor at Westminster Academy and Chair of the UK Advisory Board for charity PJ Library.
Emilio Domingo
Trustee
Emilio Domingo is a Senior Partner at Bain & Company and EMEA Chief Commercial Officer for the Private Equity practice. Previously, Emilio led Bain’s Private Equity practice in the UK. He has 25 years of experience in strategy, M&A diligence, value creation, business carve-out and merger integration across several industries. Emilio is also a member of the Advisory Board of the University of Navarra.
Emilio Domingo is a Senior Partner at Bain & Company and EMEA Chief Commercial Officer for the Private Equity practice. Previously, Emilio led Bain’s Private Equity practice in the UK. He has 25 years of experience in strategy, M&A diligence, value creation, business carve-out and merger integration across several industries. Emilio is also a member of the Advisory Board of the University of Navarra.
Ed Fidoe
Trustee
Ed Fidoe is the founder and CEO of the London Interdisciplinary School. Previously, Ed co-founded a 4-18 school in Stratford called School 21, and the UK’s oracy charity called Voice 21. He also consulted at McKinsey & Co., ran a theatre production company, and played in 80s hit TV show Woof! Ed holds degrees from Imperial and LSE, and has advised institutions including Cambridge, Eton and Teach First.
Ed Fidoe is the founder and CEO of the London Interdisciplinary School. Previously, Ed co-founded a 4-18 school in Stratford called School 21, and the UK’s oracy charity called Voice 21. He also consulted at McKinsey & Co., ran a theatre production company, and played in 80s hit TV show Woof! Ed holds degrees from Imperial and LSE, and has advised institutions including Cambridge, Eton and Teach First.
Tara Haig
Trustee
Tara Haig is General Counsel at Multiverse and a legal leader with deep expertise in corporate governance, fundraising and M&A. She has supported fast-growing organisations across sectors and served on multiple boards. Tara has led numerous investments and built fund infrastructure from the ground up, giving her a well-rounded perspective on scaling organisations and navigating complex challenges.
Tara Haig is General Counsel at Multiverse and a legal leader with deep expertise in corporate governance, fundraising and M&A. She has supported fast-growing organisations across sectors and served on multiple boards. Tara has led numerous investments and built fund infrastructure from the ground up, giving her a well-rounded perspective on scaling organisations and navigating complex challenges.
Lucy Heller
Trustee
Lucy Heller is CEO of Ark, an education charity. There are 39 schools in the Ark network and its venture organisations are focused on bringing positive change to key areas of education such as curriculum, teacher training and early years. Before Ark, Lucy was Managing Director of TSL Education and Managing Editor at The Observer. She is also a trustee of Education Endowment Foundation and Now Teach.
Lucy Heller is CEO of Ark, an education charity. There are 39 schools in the Ark network and its venture organisations are focused on bringing positive change to key areas of education such as curriculum, teacher training and early years. Before Ark, Lucy was Managing Director of TSL Education and Managing Editor at The Observer. She is also a trustee of Education Endowment Foundation and Now Teach.
Gareth Lambert
Trustee
Gareth Lambert is a Senior Partner at EY, the professional services firm, and Chief Operating Officer for the UK & Ireland Financial Services practice. He has spent his entire career in the Financial Services industry in the UK and overseas, specialising in banking, business transformation and specialist regulation. Gareth is also a trustee for the charity, Family Fund.
Gareth Lambert is a Senior Partner at EY, the professional services firm, and Chief Operating Officer for the UK & Ireland Financial Services practice. He has spent his entire career in the Financial Services industry in the UK and overseas, specialising in banking, business transformation and specialist regulation. Gareth is also a trustee for the charity, Family Fund.
Justine Lutterodt
Trustee
Justine Lutterodt is Managing Director of the Centre for Synchronous Leadership and an expert in leadership, ethics and systemic change. She has over 20 years' experience advising senior executives and leading organisational transformation. A published author and award-winning practitioner, Justine also serves as a NED for The Chartered Governance Institute UK&I and Chair of the global Agents of Change initiative.
Justine Lutterodt is Managing Director of the Centre for Synchronous Leadership and an expert in leadership, ethics and systemic change. She has over 20 years' experience advising senior executives and leading organisational transformation. A published author and award-winning practitioner, Justine also serves as a NED for The Chartered Governance Institute UK&I and Chair of the global Agents of Change initiative.
Nat Sloane CBE
Trustee
Nat Sloane is founding chair of Social and Sustainable Capital, trustee of the Education Endowment Fund and has chaired the National Lottery Community Fund in England. He co-founded Impetus Trust and has had an instrumental influence on the UK’s venture philanthropy discipline. He continues to test new innovations in social investment, believing that working together is key for UK philanthropy.
Nat Sloane is founding chair of Social and Sustainable Capital, trustee of the Education Endowment Fund and has chaired the National Lottery Community Fund in England. He co-founded Impetus Trust and has had an instrumental influence on the UK’s venture philanthropy discipline. He continues to test new innovations in social investment, believing that working together is key for UK philanthropy.
Sophie Humphreys OBE
Social Entrepreneur in Residence
Sophie co-founded two national organisations that support some of the most vulnerable members of society, Pause and SHiFT. She is a sought-after child protection expert and has sat on the CAFCASS board and the expert panel for the Commission on Young Lives. Sophie is the creator of Breaking Cycles, an approach to breaking entrenched patterns of harm.
Sophie co-founded two national organisations that support some of the most vulnerable members of society, Pause and SHiFT. She is a sought-after child protection expert and has sat on the CAFCASS board and the expert panel for the Commission on Young Lives. Sophie is the creator of Breaking Cycles, an approach to breaking entrenched patterns of harm.
Doug Thomson
Philanthropy Adviser
Doug has over 30 years of experience in philanthropy and non-profit management. Major assignments include the Sutton Trust, where he helped them diversify their funding base and scale up their programmes, and the University of Nottingham where he led the £242m Impact Campaign. Doug has worked with 35 organisations to support their fundraising and grant-making.
Doug has over 30 years of experience in philanthropy and non-profit management. Major assignments include the Sutton Trust, where he helped them diversify their funding base and scale up their programmes, and the University of Nottingham where he led the £242m Impact Campaign. Doug has worked with 35 organisations to support their fundraising and grant-making.

Join our team

Thank you for your interest in joining Purposeful Ventures. You can find our current vacancies and submit your application on our career site. We also encourage you to follow us on LinkedIn to learn more about our current work, opportunities for collaboration and workplace culture.

Job descriptions

Our supporters