People On Purpose

This is the first in a new series of regular blogs, profiling social sector leaders.  Do let us know if there is anyone you would like to see profiled in People On Purpose!

TOM RIPPIN

Tom Rippin founded On Purpose in 2009 after a career spanning such prominent organisations like Comic Relief, McKinsey & Company and (RED).  Tom is also the Chairman of Spice, a time banking social enterprise.  On any given day, Tom can be seen cycling around London meeting up with interested supporters, giving talks, providing training and supporting the growing number of On Purpose Fellows and Associates.

1. Why do you do the job you do?

Because I believe that social enterprise will change the way that society thinks about and does business and because I love working with smart, motivated people. I also believe that getting the best people to work in social enterprise is the best way to help social enterprise fulfill its promise. 

2. What are you most proud of?

The Associates that On Purpose has attracted and the fact that they are not only motivated, interested/ing but also genuinely nice people!

3. What keeps you awake at night?

Trying to remember not to drop any balls - of which there are many. Luckily I have recently been throwing many of them at my new colleague Kate Richardson

4. What were you doing 5 years ago?

I was just leaving management consultancy, looking for places where I could do work that used commercial dynamics for good. I was lucky to end up first at Comic Relief!

5. What do you expect to be doing in 5 years' time?

With any luck, On Purpose might have done itself out of a job... if not, we're planning that On Purpose will be working across the UK and internationally too - I'm told Barbados is nice.

6. If you were Prime Minister for the day, what would you do? 

I'd get every FTSE100 CEO to swap jobs for a day with their counterpart from the 100 most exciting social enterprises in the UK.

7. Why are you involved with On Purpose? 

Editor’s note: Tom is the founder of On Purpose and needless to say has 101 reasons (maybe more) to stay involved.