Canary Wharf Group plc (CWG) chief executive, George Iacobescu CBE, this week received a Founding Ambassador award from education charity Teach First for his eight-year commitment to the organisation and for his tireless campaigning work in addressing educational disadvantage.

In 2002 George Iacobescu recognised the need for excellent teaching and leadership in schools in challenging circumstances. Through his leadership, CWG was the first financial supporter of Teach First, providing the vital initial financial backing of £25,000. He became one the charity’s first trustees and its original co-chair with then London First CEO, Stephen O’Brien. In addition to funding, Iacobescu also gave the charity its first home in donated offices in Canary Wharf from 2003 to 2010.

The Founding Ambassador award is granted to those individuals who have been instrumental in the progress and development of Teach First to date. It is decided by the charity’s trustees and was presented to Iacobescu by the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP along with Teach First’s chair Dame Julia Cleverdon, at the charity’s annual awards celebration.

Previously named Founding Ambassadors include former education minister, Lord Adonis; Rona Kiley, former Head of Business and Education at business lobby group London First; Dame Mary Richardson, former Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Education Trust; and Stephen O’Brien CBE, former CEO of London First

George Iacobescu said:
"I am honoured to be named a Teach First Founding Ambassador and to have been part of this worthy movement since it started. Most businesses find it relatively easy to recruit smart graduates with good technical skills. However, it is much more difficult is to find individuals who also have great communication skills, an ability to persevere and who devote themselves to inspire others, especially youngsters, to succeed.

“These graduates are equipped to answer job interview questions such as, ‘When have you succeeded in challenging circumstances?’ Teach First helps graduates stand out from the crowd, and compete for even the most competitive of positions."

Brett Wigdortz, CEO and Founder of Teach First, said:
“George’s vision and commitment all those years ago was vital in establishing Teach First. His continued support has been integral in helping Teach First’s participants and Ambassadors to increase the access, aspirations and achievement of pupils studying in the UK’s most challenging schools. Business support is crucial in addressing disadvantage and George Iacobescu has campaigned tirelessly to galvanise the support of the wider business community for our mission of addressing educational disadvantage.”

Notes to editors

For media enquiries please contact Anie Keshishian, Press Officer, Teach First, 07786 038306 and email akeshishian@teachfirst.org.uk or Gemma McNeilis, 07989 392976 gmcneilis@teachfirst.org.uk.

Teach First
Teach First's mission is to address educational disadvantage by transforming exceptional graduates into effective, inspirational teachers and leaders in all fields. Teach First targets graduates who would not normally consider a career in teaching and places them in challenging schools – where:
(i) More than 50% of their pupils from deprived backgrounds according to the respected IDACI index of childhood deprivation, thereby more accurately prioritising those schools with higher levels of deprivation.

And/or

(ii) Schools with the lowest levels of attainment in regards to the 5+ A*-C measure – i.e. schools whose results fall in the lowest third of the national distribution.

In 2009, Teach First placed close to 500 graduates in teaching positions, making it the 4th largest recruiter of graduates in the UK. It hopes to place over 570 graduates in 2010 and as many as 650 in 2011.

In 2009, Teach First gained 8th place on the coveted league of Times Top 100 Graduate Employers.

For more information, visit www.teachfirst.org.uk

George Iacobescu CBE came to Canary Wharf in 1988 as Senior Vice President, Construction, to oversee the procurement and construction of the first phase of the development. He was appointed Deputy Chief Executive of Canary Wharf Group plc in 1996 and Chief Executive in March 1997. Canary Wharf Group plc has regenerated derelict docks into one of the world’s premier business districts, constructing over 15 million square feet of office and retail space, more than any other company in London making it one of Europe’s largest regeneration projects.

George was a trustee of Teach First from 2002 to 2009 and is currently a Director of London First, Director of Gateway to London, Trustee of The British Museum and on the Advisory Board of UK Academy of Finance. He was appointed Commander of the British Empire by Her Majesty the Queen in 2003.