Anne-Marie is Inspiring Leader of the Year!
Anne-Marie McClure, Chief Executive of Start360, was delighted to win the Inspiring Leader of the Year award at last week's CO3 Awards event in Parliament Buildings.
She has led Start360 over 22 years, from its inception as a small pilot (as Opportunity Youth) in August 1993 to the large regional organisation it is today.
Anne-Marie has been the architect of the Start360 culture and is the organisation’s brand leader. She celebrates the uniqueness of every person, treating service users as human beings and advocating for them, while affirming and valuing her staff. She always sees the positive in people and situations. This award recognises the inspiration that she provides to all the staff and service users of Start360.
Speaking after receiving her award, Anne-Marie said, ‘‘I feel so privileged to have been given this award. It is Start360 staff and service users who ‘inspire’ me! It is their commitment to changing and to supporting change that encourages and motivates me each day. Seeing change happen, as I do, is one of the most inspiring things anyone can witness in life. As a result, I consider myself gifted. So a big thank you to Start360 for the nomination. Thank you to CO3 for recognising me and the sector as a whole. Thank you too to Ulster Bank for the cash prize, which Start360 will use prudently to sustain our work.’
The CO3 awards provide an opportunity to reflect and recognise all that is achieved on a daily basis by Third Sector leaders. Nora Smith, Chief Executive of CO3, said, ‘It is only right that third sector leaders should be recognised for the hard work that they do, helping thousands of vulnerable people across Northern Ireland. Our seven winners have gone above and beyond the call of duty and we are delighted to be able to celebrate our champions. A huge congratulations to everybody shortlisted and our 2016 winners.’
Michele Marken, Chair of Start360, said, ‘This is an accolade hugely deserved, but as Anne-Marie herself would say, it reflects the quality of everyone in our organisation. It was evident to me, on the night, that Start360 is held in very high esteem in our sector, and this award is evidence of that.’
