In each category the judges selected a candidate as “One to Watch”, an outstanding individual who captures the spirit of the Future 500. The New Statesman is Courvoisier’s partner for the Public Life category, encompassing the charitable, not-for-profit and public sectors, think tanks, NGOs, campaigning organisations, unions, and political life. We were looking for the great minds who will generate the policies, programmes, spaces and thinking to challenge the way we live tomorrow – the people who are determined to make a difference.
In the Public Life category, this “One to Watch” candidate was Sital Punja, co-founder of Sari UK, an ethical clothing label that makes inventive use of recycled saris to produce a range of goods, including a womenswear collection, accessories and lampshades made with reclaimed wood. The company also donates 10% of its sales to a children’s charity. Public Life category judge, Reed Paget, Managing Director of Belu Water, producers of the first “climate neutral” bottled water, paid tribute to the exemplary business ethic demonstrated by Punja: “Sital does business in the interests of the community, not just commerce.”
A winner of this year’s Edge Upstarts/ New Statesman Social Entrepreneur Award, Punja has also received recognition from Tony and Cherie Blair and the Queen since starting the company in 2002. She, along with the rest of the Public Life category list, have demonstrated the qualities John F Kennedy highlighted in a speech to the Massachusetts legislature on 9 January 1961: courage, judgement, integrity and dedication. And also the strength of character that Napoleon said won three quarters of the battle. Courvoisier, the official supplier of brandy to the French Emperor, is pleased to toast the Future 500 – truly the VSOP of a generation.
From those making a name for themselves in Food, Drink, Art & Design, Travel & Leisure, Media, Sport & Entertainment, Business, Fashion & Retail, Science & Innovation and Public Life, our judges have chosen the 500 whose motivation and passion for perfection marks them out as future leaders in their fields. They will now be connected through a bespoke online network to which only they have access, a forum for sharing and promoting excellence and innovation. They have been featured in a specially created glossy magazine, which has been distributed nationally, and reached over one million people.
With each year comes new business challenges and new outstanding individuals shall emerge to meet these challenges. Courvoisier wants to hear about the people who will be making a difference next year. To register interest in the 2008 Future 500, visit https://www.cvtf500.com. Applications will be accepted from May onward, with full details to be released early in the year.
Public Life – The Top 50
One to Watch: Sital Punja, Sari UK
Johnny Goldstone* Co-founder, Greentomatocars
Lucy Lake* Director of International Programme, UN Girls Education Initiative
Oliver Benson* Headliners, head of editorial
Izzy Warren-Smith* Harper Adams University College, Wire Director, Senior Lecturer
Anthony Browne* Policy Exchange
Deborah Szebeko* Think public
Diana Bird* Wedge Card
Juliet Davenport* Good Energy, Chief Executive
Gareth Mitchell* Tree 2 My Door, Founder/Director
Graeme Atherton Aimhigher, Central London Partnership manager
David Macauley Aquados, Executive chariman
Andrew Glen Aquados, UK sales and marketing director
Robert Blackie Blue Rubicon, Head of Digital
Josephine Burton Dash Arts, Co-Director
Tom Pakenham Co-founder, Greentomatocars
Andres Roberts Eudemonic, Founder and MD
Keith Farnish The Earth Blog
Mike Childs Friends of the Earth, Head of Campaigns
Andrea Nicholas GBTS Green Business Tourism Scheme, Director GTBS Scheme manager
Patrick Bek Homework design, designer
Juliet Simmons Jewish Community Centre, Creative Director
Emma Howard Boy Jupiter, Head of socially responsible investments, Director of Jupiter Asset Management
Camila Batmanghelidjh Kids Company, Founder/Director
Peter DaCosta KPM UK Taxis, Chairman
Alan Lowe Manchester Mental Health and Social Care NHS, Trust Senior Manager
Flic Howard-Allen Marks&Spencer, Director of CSR & Communications
Saira Khan Miamoo, Founder
Niki Cleal Pensions Policy Institute
Ryan Gawn Save the Children, International External Relations Coordinator
Bonnie Shaw Principal Urban Designer
Farzana Baduel TaxClaim, MD
Tom Berry The Office for Disability Issues, Head of Communications
Geoff Mulgan The Young Foundation, Director
Jaime Gill United Response, Press and Public affairs manager
Zoe Stanton Uscreates, Founding Partner and Director
Damian Collins Influence, Founder
Emilie Goodall New Philanthropy Capital, Analyst
Erin Hepher Aura, Founder
Penny Newman Café Direct, CEO
Allison Ogden-Newton Social Enterprise London, CEO
Aziz Tejpar Environmental Biotech, Managing Director
Katie Clarke 1 Voice, Co – Founder
Carmel McConnell Magic Breakfast, Founder
Sharon Harding-Price MattDotCom, Chair of Committee
David Harding-Price MattDotCom, Chair of Committee
Tony Juniper Friends of the Earth, Director
Bob Saynor Energy Saving Trust, Independent Consultant
Harriet Wallace HM Treasury, Global Policy Co-Ordinator
Chris Lee Motorvations, Development Manager
*top ten
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