International businessman appointed as Rainbows ambassador

East Midlands children’s hospice Rainbows has appointed international businessman and entrepreneur Paul Barry as an ambassador to help raise awareness and support for its work.

Paul is founder and executive chairman of Phenna Group, an international testing, inspection, certification and compliance business he established in 2019.

The South Nottinghamshire-based entrepreneur has since helped grow Phenna into a global organisation operating across five continents, employing more than 9000 people and generating annual revenues exceeding €1 billion.

Paul said: “I want to do something where I can add most value. 

“Take on a different role and give something back.

“Rainbows pulls on your heart strings, and you can’t help but be inspired by these families and their personal stories. 

“Rainbows contributes to making their lives a little bit easier and that is just so valuable. 

“My family is the most important thing to me, and I take so much pleasure from my children and grandchildren, who are so cheeky and mischievous.

“It is impossible to imagine what the Rainbows families go through, so helping in just a small way will be rewarding.”

In his ambassadorial role, Paul will use his business experience and network to raise awareness of Rainbows, engage existing supporters and encourage more people and organisations to support the charity.

He added: “I bring to the ambassador role extensive experience in leadership, networking, relationship-building and fundraising, together with a genuine belief that businesses and individuals have an important role to play in supporting their communities and creating opportunities for others. 

“I believe every successful entrepreneur and company should embrace that if possible.”

Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People supports babies, children, young people and their families across the East Midlands.

The appointment builds on Paul’s longstanding focus on philanthropy and supporting communities alongside his career spanning global business, private equity and entrepreneurship.

He added: “Growing up just outside of Edinburgh, I started my first job as a technician engineer at British Gas, when I was 18. 

“I was fortunate enough to progress my career and several promotions later, relocated to the Midlands in 1999, to work at Loughborough based BG Technology. 

“At the time, the company was a strong supporter of Rainbows, and this is when I first heard of the charity.

“When I started my company in 2019, I introduced charity funding matched to employee fundraising efforts and Rainbows popped into my head. 

“From an annual commitment of £100,000 matched funding, we were able to make a valued donation.

“I then subsequently visited the hospice in Loughborough, with my wife, Amanda, and we were so inspired by the work of the team, that we became personal supporters.”

Paul said: “My parents instilled a great work ethic in me and that resilience and tenacity meant I worked harder than most and never gave up. 

“Growing up I genuinely had no idea what ‘I wanted to be’, I just knew I wanted to work, earn money and go out like my friends.

“My most exciting challenge was to convince the owners of our first business to sell to Phenna, that provided the platform for the business we have created today. 

“I still pinch myself at the scale of what we’ve achieved and if we acquire a business tomorrow, I am still as excited as when buying the first one.

“And now I am really grateful for the opportunity to work with Rainbows.

“Everything I do is about building a legacy and creating something for my family that they can be proud of, and that when I am long gone, my grandchildren can say ‘my Papa did that’.”

Jane Burns, chief executive of Rainbows, added: “A Rainbows ambassador plays a pivotal role in our new strategy to help us promote our work, extend our reach and inspire new supporters. 

“Their input will help us set the standard for the care families can expect, and deserve, while ensuring Rainbows is fit for purpose now and for generations to come. 

“We are honoured to have Paul on board, he is an inspirational supporter, with long established routes across the East Midlands. 

“We’re looking forward to learning from him and working together to make that difference for the children and families who need our care and support.”

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