#LeadingWithPurpose Spotlight: Steve White, Managing Director of Southeastern
Our #LeadingWithPurpose Spotlight interview series sees organisational leaders explain what leading with purpose means to them and how they strive to make their organisation a force for good in society.
In this episode, read how Steve White, Managing Director of Southeastern, does so.
Steve, what inspires you personally to lead with purpose?
Every year what we do as a business is different. New projects, new priorities, new targets. However, why we do things is reassuringly consistent.
We want to help our communities and our colleagues thrive. I am inspired by the humanity consistently demonstrated by my colleagues and am motivated to provide a platform for them to help others.
And can you share a story or moment that shaped your own leadership?
I met a young lady on one of our Princes Trust Programmes who explained to me the changes in her life since joining the railway and entering full time employment from sofa surfing to independence.
She told me the railway was the first real family she had ever had. The first place she felt she belonged and felt safe.
Listening to her made me realise the enormous power for social mobility which employers have.
What are some of the things your organisation taken to break down barriers to opportunity?
Working with The Purpose Coalition has helped to guide and focus our social mobility work towards providing opportunities for students in schools and college in the more deprived areas across our network.
