Impetus started investing in IntoUniversity in
2007. IntoUniversity is an educational charity
that helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and
neighbourhoods to improve their life chances. It runs programmes
for children as young as seven, helping them to raise their
aspirations and become more knowledgeable about the choices open to
them.
Below is an account of what the experience has been like for Rachel
Carr, Chief Executive of IntoUniversity.
As a CEO, what is the best thing about
Impetus for you?
The best thing is the money combined with the strategic support.
Impetus gives me the kind of support I need when I need it. I trust
them, and I really value the fact that Impetus delivers what it
promises.
What has been the hardest bit about working with
Impetus?
The hardest was at the beginning getting my head around what the
relationship entails, because Impetus has taught us a lot that
isn't just about funding. At the beginning, I thought I would never
fit the monthly meeting into my diary, but now I would miss it if
it didn't happen.
What surprised you about this relationship with
Impetus?
How valuable the support was. Before we started working together,
Impetus told us it wasn't going to be just about funding. My
question was, "Is this going to be 'not just about funding' that is
annoying or 'not just about funding' that is useful?" Fortunately,
it was definitely the latter.
I always feel free to say to the Impetus director if something
isn't working well, because the relationship feels so supportive, I
am not afraid to admit it. Also, because of the relationship, if
one of the experts she provides isn't fulfilling our expectation, I
tell her that as well - without feeling guilty. In actual fact, I
do feel very grateful to the people I've met through Impetus
because they deliver whatever I agree with the investment director
needs to be sorted out.
Did you feel concern about whether the Impetus
intervention might conflict with your board?
Yes, we were concerned when we first heard about Impetus, but there
is actually no conflict about it at all. Everybody has met the
Impetus investment director, so they don't feel threatened in any
way. Actually, she has become part of the IntoUniversity
family.
If another CEO asked your advice about Impetus, what would
you say?
I would say that Impetus is about providing you with a significant
amount of funding and a significant amount of strategic support
that will not always be comfortable, but will be a huge benefit to
your charity. Impetus has made a huge difference in terms of
funding and all the expert support that we have received to develop
our systems. It has been a really positive experience for us so far
and has been really helpful for me as a chief executive. To go from
managing a local IntoUniversity programme to trying to manage a new
network is a big learning curve for me personally, and it has been
great to do it with Impetus support.
Read more about our work with IntoUniversity and how IntoUniversity has helped Bahga find a path to becoming a paediatrician.
Impetus gives me the kind of support I need when I need it. I trust them, and I really value the fact that Impetus delivers what it promises.
Dr Rachel Carr
Chief Executive, IntoUniversity