TAYLOR BENNETT FOUNDATION EXPANDS ITS BOARD OF TRUSTEES  

…The Taylor Bennett Foundation changes the lives of young people through its programmes and is the driving force of real change in the diversity of the PR and communications industry…

28th November 2022 – LONDON - The Taylor Bennett Foundation, the charity that encourages and supports black, Asian and minority ethnic graduates to pursue a career in communications, today announced the appointment of two new trustees to its board. Lena Ahad, Managing Director at FTI Consulting LLP, and Marcia La-Rose, Head of HR at Four Communications Group Limited both bring insight, passion, experience and a deep rooted commitment to the Foundation through their support over many years from FTI Consulting and Four Communications.

Sarah Pinch FCIPR, Chart.PR said: “As Chair of Trustees I was keen we appointed trustees who were able to support the board’s ambitious plans for growth.  We want to increase our reach to young people; ensure we are changing the lives of more young people and also help the industry is more representative of society.  The Foundation has a proven track record in improving diversity.  What we do works.  We want to work with more organisations, in house and agency side to continue to deliver.”

Lena Ahad, Managing Director, FTI Consulting said, “I am delighted to be joining as a trustee of the Taylor Bennett Foundation to continue encouraging black, Asian and minority ethnic talent to pursue a career in communications. FTI Consulting is now in its sixth year of sponsoring the award-winning PR training and mentoring programme – so my trustee role very much feels like a natural transition into a strategic role while also supporting global brands at FTI Consulting. Now in my third decade in the communications industry, it’s extremely rewarding to see the next generation of diverse talent coming through the ranks and I very much look forward to supporting the future leaders of our industry.”

Marcia La Rose, Head of HR, Four Communications Group Limited said,

“I am absolutely thrilled to now be on the Board of Trustees of the Taylor Bennett Foundation who Four has worked with for some years now and I hope I will be able to assist with the development and outreach of this fantastic organisation.”

Lena Ahad and Marcia La Rose join the board of trustees from December 2022 and extend the board of trustees which includes, Sarah Pinch, Managing Director at Pinch Point Communications, Vice Chair of Manx Care and Independent Advisor to The Senedd; Matthew Wall, Managing Partner at Taylor Bennett; James Baker, Director at Brunswick Group;  Kuldeep Mehmi, PR Manager at Savills;  Jo Ogunleye, B2B Communications at Google;  Syma Cullasy-Aldridge, Chief Campaign Director at CBI  and Marc Cohen, Managing Director at The PR Office.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About the Taylor Bennett Foundation

The Taylor Bennett Foundation is a charity that exists to encourage Black, Asian and minority ethnic graduates to pursue a career in communications which is achieved by an award-winning PR & Communications training programme, internship and mentoring programmes. With the support of leading communication agencies and in-house teams, Taylor Bennett Foundation runs professional development programmes that provide participants with the knowledge, skillset and networks required to pursue a successful career in communications. https://www.taylorbennettfoundation.org/

Further information
Melissa Lawrence
Chief Executive
Tel: 07539 478 374
Email: [email protected]

About the new trustees:

Marcia La-Rose joined Four in 2022 as the finance manager. As the company grew, so did her role and Marcia is now the Head of HR and oversees the HR function as well as personal finance issues such as salaries and tax. Marcia has the answer to most questions and is a quick thinking resolver.

LinkedIn profile is available here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcia-la-rose-fprca-cmprca-91555380/?originalSubdomain=uk

Lena Ahad is Managing Director at FTI Consulting LLP.  She brings 30+ years’ experience in corporate communications – with a primary focus on technology brands.  Her role at FTI Consulting focusses on the strategic development of integrated global programmes and providing communication counsel to global and FTSE 100 brands across EMEA, North America and APAC. As an active member of FTI’s global D&I taskforce, Lena has also supported the Taylor Bennett Foundation through its work experience schemes and graduate intake programmes.  She has a passion for creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce in the communications industry and supporting leaders of the future.

LinkedIn profile is available here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenaahad/?originalSubdomain=uk