David Gill visited the New Charter Academy in Ashton-under-Lyne to meet young people and mark the start of a partnership between the Manchester United Foundation and the business and enterprise school.
He hosted an exclusive session for GCSE and A-level students to put questions to him about his career, getting started in business and the secrets to success as well talking about his time at the club and the work of the Manchester United Foundation.
The new three-year partnership with the New Charter Academy is part of the Manchester United Foundation’s Hub of the Community programme which focuses on helping young people to develop major life skills such as leadership, team work and positive behaviour.
Through sport, it also hopes to promote business and enterprise opportunities to get teenagers thinking about different career paths.
As part of the partnership, a dedicated coach from the Foundation will be stationed at the Academy to train young people using the school’s excellent indoor and outdoor sporting facilities.
The coach will also work on projects in the community and with the Academy’s feeder primary schools to encourage children of all ages to take part in sport.
Whilste at the Academy, David engaged in a Q&A session with the students before unveiling a plaque to commemorate the partnership between the school and the Manchester United Foundation. He then took a tour of the new £43m building which opened its doors last September under sponsorship from Tameside-based housing association New Charter Housing Trust.
David commented: “I always look forward to witnessing first-hand the work that goes on in our partner schools and at Foundation projects and it is a delight to see the beginnings of new relationships. It was especially interesting to meet students at New Charter Academy who are passionate about business – a subject close to my heart.”
Tony Powell, New Charter’s executive director of neighbourhoods, added: “Getting the chance to meet and talk to the boss of a world-famous club is a fantastic and rare opportunity for students at the Academy and we’re excited to see how the partnership will continue is to benefit young people in our communities.”
Executive director at the New Charter Academy, Stephen Ball, said: “As a centre for business, enterprise and sport, David’s visit was really inspirational and invaluable to our students and we’re very thankful to him for taking the time to see us.
“The work we’re doing with the Foundation will help students to get excited about business while equipping them with the right skills to support them in later life."