Partner Article

North East entrepreneur joins football charity board

One of the North East’s most successful young entrepreneurs has joined the board of one of the region’s biggest charities.

Darren Williams, co-founder of Harland Corporation, has accepted an invitation to join the Development Board of the Foundation of Light, the registered charity of Sunderland AFC that uses the power of football and the brand of SAFC to inspire, motivate and educate over 40,000 young people each year.

Jamie Martin, Managing Partner of Ward Hadaway and Chairman of the Foundation of Light’s Development Board said; “We are delighted that Darren accepted our invitation to join the Foundation of Light. He is a dynamic and ambitious young entrepreneur with a strong business and internet background. I am sure his energetic and passionate style will be a great addition to the board and have no doubt that he’ll provide us with lots of new ideas and a fresh approach to our development plans.”

After starting his own business in 2005 alongside partner Angela Place, Darren has seen his business grow to become one of the largest online hair extension and wig companies in the UK, attracting over 1.2 million unique visitors to his e-commerce websites each year. In the last 2 years he has more than doubled company turnover and increased profits by 140%.

Darren, 30, has become recognised nationally for his entrepreneurial skills and extraordinary ambitions in business winning a total of 15 awards from 15 attempts in 2 years including; Young Business Person of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year and the British Chamber of Commerce Innovation through Technology Award.

Darren Williams said: “I was pleased to be asked to get involved with the Foundation of Light, as it makes such a positive difference to the lives of so many young people in the region and is so highly regarded nationally.

“I am looking forward to helping the Foundation to continue to advance its inspiring work through its far-reaching and ground-breaking programmes.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Darren Williams .