Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month – November 2014

Jack Petchey 2

Our Inspirational Diversity Champion for November is Jack Petchey.  Jack was born in the East End in 1925. He left school with no qualifications when he was 13 and joined the Navy’s Fleet Air Arm in 1943. Following his discharge from the Navy, he bought his first second hand car (using his £39 Navy discharge gratuity) and started a taxi business. He worked long and hard, overcoming adversity and going on to become a multi-millionaire through his various business ventures, which spanned from motor car dealing and garages to property, travel and investment. At 88 Jack still comes to the office every day, but now it is his philanthropy that interests him most! In 1999 Jack established the Jack Petchey Foundation and his businesses have since given £85 million to support youth projects. Jack seeks to increase young people’s aspirations by rewarding their achievements and encouraging them to take pride in what they have done.  He focuses on the positives rather than highlighting the negatives. Jack believes that if you reward success and help young people feel positive about themselves you can give them the confidence and aspiration to change, overcome adversity and live to their full potential. In 2012, Jack was awarded the CBE in recognition of his services to young people.  He believes that people should think of others and give back to society, no matter how small an act of kindness or generosity, he wants young people to know that in giving, you also receive and the world is a better place for it!   This emphasis on positive affirmation, self-belief, and the willingness to make an effort and to give to others are key to the development of the work of the Jack Petchey Foundation.

Our Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month for July, Laura Mothersole, has recently received a Jack Petchey Award for her work with the Girl Guides and Brownies receiving £200 to spend on activities for them.

To find out more about Jack and his foundation go to the website http://www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/home