Derek Browne is the Chief Executive of Entrepreneurs in Action (EiA),
founded in 2003. EiA has worked with thousands of young people introducing
them to the world of business through a range of innovative and engaging
programmes. He is a social entrepreneur committed to inspiring a new
generation of entrepreneurial talent across drawn from diverse and
challenging backgrounds. He believes that with the right mindset anything is
possible in your life, be it personal or business.
In 2006 he was awarded The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion and
was a finalist of the 2006 Daily Telegraph Business Personality of the year
awards. He has also appeared on TV, including CNN, BBC News and C4’s
Jamie’s Chef where he acted as business mentor to the 4 finalist for the
duration of the programme. He has also been interviewed by FT, Telegraph,
Independent on Sunday, Directors magazine and The Economist.
He is an ambassador for The Queen’s Award for Enterprise and delivered the
closing speech to the recipients of the 2007 corporate and individual awards
in Whitehall. He also features in their promotional video and his image has
been used for the marketing of the award.
In April 2008 he was appointed as a Visiting Professor of Social
Entrepreneurship at London Metropolitan University Business School. He also
sits on the advisory board for the Business School.
In July 2008 he was invited to join the London Task Force for Apprenticeships
by David Lammy, Secretary of State for Skills.
He has a background in investment banking working for The Securities and
Investment Board (Now FSA), Barings Investment Bank as a trader and
Foreign Exchange Dealer, and Merrill Lynch International Private Banking as
a High-Net Worth Senior Private Banker and was a partner in the largest
team in Europe, in which capacity he advised many of the UK’s leading
entrepreneurs on their financial affairs.
Derek was also a keen athlete and during his time at Barings he combined
his day job with his passion for athletics, and competed internationally as a
triple jumper in the UK and Europe, winning medals at national and
international level.
He sits on the national judging panel for HSBC, SKY NEWS, Daily Express
Start-Up Stars and the National Training Awards. He is a Centenary
Ambassador for UK Youth and sits on the Diversity Advisory Group for Skills
Olympics.