SME News - Managing Director of the Year Awards 2024/ 68 Most Supportive Foster Care MD 2024 (Kent): Farayi Chinyemba 2008, he joined the organisation full-time as a Finance Director. Over a decade later, Farayi transitioned into his current role as Anchor Foster Care’s Managing Director as Florence and Alistair stepped back from the business; though they both remain active Directors to this day. Ever since, Farayi has led Anchor Foster Care to remarkable success through his hands-on approach to leadership. He has had extensive experience in leading teams since the early days of his career. He tells us, “I moved to England from Zambia 24 years ago and worked for the NHS’s Primary Care Trust as a management accountant for a short while before joining an Automative Parts Distribution Company. I worked there for several years as a Financial Controller, managing a team of accountants.” Over the years, Farayi has developed an effective strategy for successful leadership. He believes that a healthy team is formed when individuals understand the role that they play within the company and feel valued in that role. Providing a team with unwavering support enables an environment for employees to thrive. Farayi’s leadership style emphasises that everyone is important and brings a unique perspective to the table, reflecting the famous quote from H.E. Luccock – “No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it.” Additionally, he cites clarity as an important facet of running a successful team. Communication within the team ensures that each member is understanding of their part and how best to support others. The team at Anchor Foster Care is closeknit, which stems from the level of support that is promoted internally. In this sector, it is important to be passionate about what you do and to feel supported by your team. Exemplary services can only be provided by a team that is confident in its ability, guided by an adept leader. “For those aspiring to become a Managing Director, I would say that among the many principles and skills of management you will no doubt learn, always keep in mind that it takes time to achieve lasting success; use most of it to invest in creating an enabling environment for those you are responsible for to thrive. Remember, ‘No one can whistle a symphony’,” Farayi advises. With such a strong grasp of what it takes to lead, we have no doubt that Farayi will continue to propel Anchor Foster Care to excellence. Foster care is a challenging sector that requires a great level of passion, patience, and positivity that Farayi masterfully displays in all that he does. We commend Farayi for his inspirational efforts to improve the lives of children placed into foster care, rightfully earning his title in the Managing Director of the Year Awards 2024. Are you driven by a passion to do more? Visit Anchor Foster Care’s website to find out how you can change lives. Contact: Farayi Chinyemba Company: Anchor Foster Care Web Address: www.anchorfostercare.co.uk Anchor Foster Care is an agency looking to make a real difference. As a family-run, independent, notfor-profit fostering agency, Anchor Foster Care has made a commitment to putting profits back into the service so that it can make long-lasting, positive changes. Here, we speak with Managing Director Farayi Chinyemba to find out more. Anchor Foster Care was established in 2002 by Florence and Alistair, a dynamic husband-and-wife duo, both qualified as social workers. The couple began Anchor Foster Care with the mission of running a fostering agency that was child-centred and family-focused. The agency recognises that children placed in care do not fare as well as other children, which is why Anchor Foster Care has made a commitment to changing this. Children can feel overlooked when placed in care and feel that their feelings are not heard. Anchor Foster Care takes an alternative approach in its approach, choosing to give the young people in its care the space to voice their opinions and be heard. “We believe that children and young people should have a say in the service they receive. Our young people give feedback in a number of ways, which include our child and youth voice forums and our dedicated email address. We encourage young people to call the office at any time if they want to talk to someone,” Farayi tells us. Farayi joined the agency in 2002 as the company’s secretary, additionally helping with financial aspects on a voluntary basis. In
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQyNzgzNA==