As part of our commitment to leadership development, Look Ahead seeks out emerging leaders within the organisation to further invest in their growth. Our annual Women in Leadership and Rising Star Awards offer up to £5,000 of career development funding to members of staff who show clear talent, real passion and commitment to the work of Look Ahead.
We are pleased to announce that Hannah Lawless, Contract Manager, has been awarded the 2020 Women in Leadership Award. This year, the Rising Star Award has been given to two ambitious members of staff, Jaz Owen, Trauma Informed Care Specialist Support Worker and Giuseppe Di Martino, Area Service Manager.
Chris Hampson, Look Ahead’s Chief Executive said ‘I am pleased to offer this award to three deserving winners this year, Hannah, Jaz and Giuseppe. All of our winners uniquely show a passion and ambition for their work and we are pleased to make this contribution to their continued growth and development. To our winners, I want to say a big congratulations, we look forward to what you do in the coming months.”
Women in Leadership: Hannah Lawless
Look Ahead’s Women in Leadership Award was introduced in 2016, developed in partnership with our former Chief Executive, Victoria Stark, who led the organisation for 34 years. It looks to support aspiring female talent in the organisation to fulfil their potential as future leaders in the care, support and housing sector.
Hannah has been with Look Ahead over four years and is currently a Contract Manager at our domestic violence and family services based in Tower Hamlets. Hannah shows true passion for her work and has a vision around how services should be shaped. Hannah will use the Women in Leadership Award to develop the next stage in her career development with a masters in psychodynamic practice and psychotherapy.
I want to be able to use this knowledge to further our trauma-informed practices in all our services.
Rising Star: Jaz Owen and Giuseppe Di Martino
Last year, Chris Hampson, Chief Executive launched the Rising Star Award to open up development opportunities to all Look Ahead staff who demonstrate passion, commitment and ambition to develop their careers within the sector.
Jaz Owen, Trauma Informed Specialist Support Worker based in our homelessness service in Westminster. He also co-leads the LGBTQ+ Diversity Network and will be using his funding to further his education with a postgraduate course in mental health and counselling.
I’m looking forward to going back into education and learning skills that will benefit me in my role and allow me to help my customers in the best possible way.
Giuseppe Di Martino, Area Service Manager, whose first stint at Look Ahead was in 2013 but decided to return last year. He leads the learning disability services in Hertfordshire. Due to his successful application, we are able to use the Apprenticeship Levy to fund the Strategic Leadership MBA.
I have always had the ambition to grow as a person, and I’m looking forward to applying strategic leadership in my services I manage.
If you are interested in learning more about Look Ahead’s learning and development offer, please visit our job website for more detailed information.
