Build It’s Young Professionals Board (YPB) is the next generation of young supporters who offer their skills and expertise to sustain the future of the charity.
The YPB is a vibrant and enthusiastic group of young people at the early stages of career development. They are keen to make a meaningful difference in support of Build It.
Build It recognises that young individuals at the start of their careers can bring energy and enthusiasm. Their desire to make a difference can impact the charity through their networks and connections.
In return, we offer:
Quarterly meetings are held in London or via video link-up to discuss new ideas and projects.
Through collaboration, the Board has progressed a range of individual and collective projects, including a fundraising social media challenge and two bowling events.
Are you interested in global issues? Are you able to offer ideas and skills to a group of enthusiastic and engaged group of young professionals?
If you would like to learn more, please contact: [email protected]
Build It has always had a large presence in Lewis’s life. In 2010 he visited numerous completed school and clinic projects in Zambia, which illustrated the need for school facilities in Zambia’s poorest areas. In 2023, Lewis completed the Build It Cycling Challenge, riding from Lusaka to Livingstone, starting at the BII Centre for Excellence and finishing with incredible visits to Libuyu Health Centre and Zambezi Sawmills School. Lewis currently works in the Corporate Finance team of Grant Thornton, where he focuses on the sustainability services and development sectors. As Chair of the YPB, Lewis helps to organise the group's events and deepen ties with Build It.
Rebecca’s interest in Build It grew from her involvement in charitable activities during her school years. She had the opportunity to contribute to 'Rebuilding Schools Nepal', assisting with fundraising efforts for the reconstruction of Antarastriya Yuwa Barsa Secondary School in Ramechhap after the April 2015 earthquake. Later, while studying International Relations at the University of Exeter, Rebecca participated in an initiative to provide free sanitation products on campus, aiming to address period poverty in the UK. Currently, Rebecca is working as a Consultant at H/Advisors Maitland, a financial communications agency in London.
Amelia has had an interest in Build It for a while, and has enjoyed helping out at many events. Amelia was lucky enough to visit some of the projects in Zambia in 2010, and engage with the local communities they benefitted, seeing first hand the tangible impact Build It has. Amelia works in management consulting, having graduated in 2018 from Oxford. She enjoys travelling and playing sports in her spare time. As part of the Young Professionals, Amelia analysed key points from the Most Significant Change stories as part of Build It’s 2020 Impact Study. She is currently working with Lewis to research new potential corporate partnerships and fundraising opportunities.
Following a Build It informational session at Capital Group, Celia knew she wanted to join! It was during her volunteering in the Fiji Islands that she realised the importance of helping rural communities. Celia recently graduated from the University of Liverpool where she studied Economics. She started working at Capital Group on a rotation graduate programme in September 2022. In her spare time, Celia likes to do yoga and travel. Celia works with the Young Professionals Board and helps to organise events within Capital Group.
Caitlin’s interest in the projects and success of Build It has only continued to grow since completing work experience with the charity in 2018. Whilst writing a research report on expanding Build It’s projects to locations outside of Zambia, she became particularly impressed by the skills training programme and Centre for Excellence provided by the organisation. Caitlin has also shown a keen interest in inspiring more young people to get involved within charitable work. Her article for Build It’s website emphasised the valuable skills, knowledge and enthusiasm young people can contribute towards such organisations. By being a member of the Young Professionals Board, she hopes to encourage such individuals to realise this potential and become more actively engaged with charities.
Philippos has a long-standing commitment to charitable initiatives. He has most notably contributed to and was a member of SHAWCO in South Africa, teaching maths and English across informal settlements in the country. Additionally, he has worked closely with several NGOs in Greece, Including Change Makers Lab, helping refugees who had recently made the crossing find work and integrate into European societies. Philippos’s connection with Build It International began when he participated in the Zambia Charity Cycle from Lusaka to Livingstone in June 2023. Philippos is currently an Associate at Energy Revolution Ventures, an impact-driven venture capital firm specializing in clean energy technologies.
Jamie first came to know Build It through a YPB bowling event in London. After reading further into their work, he reached out to the YPB. Jamie graduated with a BA from Sciences Po Paris, where he majored in Economics and Society. His choice of studies was motivated by a desire to know more the global forces at play in our society. This led him to spend time volunteering in refugee camps in Calais, France and Lesvos, Greece. He is currently an Associate Operations Manager within the Crisis and Security Consulting practice at Control Risks, based in London, covering the EMEA region.
George's interest in Build it came about when he did a renewable energy internship in Zambia. He saw the benefit these projects had on local communities, and this really resonated with the work that Build It does. George currently works at EY in Strategy and Transactions, and in his spare time likes to play a lot of sport.
