“Titan” of community development appointed as President of Youth Enterprise Bank

A bank which has supported young entrepreneurs in Hull and East Yorkshire with more than 1,500 grants has announced the appointment of a global expert in community development as its new president.

The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank (JCYEB) will welcome Dr. Ernesto Sirolli, founder of the Sirolli Institute into a role which could help young people across the region build international business links.

Charles Cracknell, Youth Enterprise and Microbusiness Manager at Hull City Council, said: “Dr Sirolli is a titan in the field of community development whose innovations have helped civic leaders, communities, NGOs, and corporations harness the inherent passion, energy, and imagination of their people.

“Facilitators trained at the Sirolli Institute social enterprise have assisted entrepreneurs in creating over 55,000 jobs across more than 400 communities. His approach empowers individuals and organisations to discover their ‘super powers’ and we are looking forward very much to working with him and learning from him.”

The JCYEB was formed 22 years and supports the dreams of enterprising young people in Hull and East Yorkshire through initiatives including Global Entrepreneurship Week, THUD Yorkshire, the Be Enterprising Group of teachers, and the Commonwealth Group of youth enterprise projects.

It was introduced to Dr Sirolli by Tony Robinson OBE, Chair of Yorkshire in Business, an avid supporter of Hull Youth Enterprise and Making Changes for Careers (MC4C), and former Patron of the JCYEB.

Liz Barclay, the current Patron and the IoD’s Special Advisor Small Business and Entrepreneurship, said: “It is a great privilege that Ernesto has agreed to become our worldwide President. He is keen to look at working with secondary schools and developing several enterprise facilitators within communities working with JCYEB and MC4C advisors. 

“We hope to use his international reputation to gain further traction for our work in supporting enterprising young people and to learn from him and his Institute. We also look forward to welcoming him to Hull soon and exploring possible opportunities  for young people in Hull to link up with young people in Italy."

Dr. Sirolli began his career in 1971 working in the realm of international aid across various African nations. The Sirolli Institute, which was established in 1985, champions the principles of enterprise facilitation and operates globally. Its methodology has been adopted in various UK communities, including pilot projects in Blaenau Gwent in Wales and Kintyre and Dundee in Scotland.

He said: “I am honoured to accept the role of President of the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank and genuinely pleased to be working alongside the youth enterprise team at Hull City Council.

“What excites me most is the opportunity to work with young people in Hull , particularly through secondary schools , and to help grow local enterprise facilitators within the community, working closely with JCYEB and the MC4C Advisors.

“My life’s work has taught me that young people already carry the seeds of enterprise within them. Our responsibility is to listen, to respect, and to create the conditions, the right environment, in which a kernel of an idea can grow.

“Although based in California , We spend the summer months in Italy, and very much look forward to visiting Hull soon. I am looking forward to meeting the people whose undoubted commitment, for youth entrepreneurship, make this work real.”