Founder of Lou Robey – Voice4Impact & Co-Founder of Work Ready Collective: Supporting leaders to create movements and land impactful change.
Ambassador for CEO Sleepout Nationwide
How long have you been in business for?
I've worked full-time for over 40 years. I've been in business for the last 4.
What are some of your driving values?
Treat people as you want to be treated. Live in harmony. Be courageous. Be trusted. Be open. Give back.
You’ve always been great at giving back, why is it important to you?
Giving back is important because we live in a society where many people need a helping hand, a sense of hope, or simply an opportunity to get started. None of us succeeds entirely on our own, and it's important to remember that not everyone begins life with the same advantages or opportunities.
I believe we only get one life and one chance to make a positive impact. For me, success isn't just about what we achieve for ourselves, but how we use our time, skills and resources to help others along the way.
I want to leave the world a little better than I found it. If I can help create opportunities, support people through difficult times, or inspire others to make a difference too, then I feel I've used my time well.
Which causes are closest to your heart / one thing about society in the UK that you wish you could change?
There are a number of causes that are close to my heart, and supporting them has been an important part of my life for many years. Giving back is one of my core values, and I believe we all have a responsibility to contribute in whatever way we can.
One thing I would love to see change is the expectation that social impact sits separately from business success. I believe every business should play a positive role in the communities it serves, building charitable giving, volunteering and community involvement into its foundations rather than treating them as an afterthought.
When businesses use their skills, resources and influence for the greater good, they can create lasting change. It's an approach I've always believed in, it's how I've tried to lead throughout my career, and it's something I will continue to champion.
How did you get involved in the CEO Sleepout?
Bianca Robinson and Claire Preston introduced me to CEO Sleepout and inspired me to get involved. From the outset, it resonated deeply with my values and my belief that business can be a force for good.
My first experience was at CEO Sleepout Sheffield. I travelled up from London with all my belongings in an IKEA bag, with a generous business sponsor covering my train fare. I arrived in an unfamiliar city, at an unfamiliar venue, knowing nobody and stepping well outside my comfort zone.
What I discovered was far more than a fundraising event. I met remarkable people, heard powerful stories, and gained a much deeper understanding of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness and poverty. It was a genuinely eye-opening experience that has stayed with me ever since.
I wanted to become an ambassador because I believe strongly in CEO Sleepout's message to business leaders: there is always more we can do. Leadership isn't just about what happens inside our organisations; it's about using our influence, resources and networks to help tackle some of society's biggest challenges. CEO Sleepout brings people together to do exactly that, and I'm proud to play a small part in supporting its mission.
What other ways do you "give back" or work to strengthen communities you work within?
Giving back takes a number of different forms for me. Through Work Ready Collective, the CIC I co-founded with Claire Preston, we run employability bootcamps for young people across the North East, North West and London, helping them build the skills, confidence and connections they need to take their next steps into work.
I'm also Relationships Director for the Women of the Year Awards, supporting a platform that celebrates and champions extraordinary women and their achievements. Through my podcast, *Voices on the Edge of Change*, I aim to shine a light on important conversations and amplify voices and stories that might not otherwise be heard.
More recently, following a personal experience around online safety, I've become involved in supporting other women navigating similar challenges. What began as a small act of support has grown into a community that has reached tens of thousands of people, creating connection, understanding and practical help for those who need it.
My involvement with TRIC and its charitable activities also gives me opportunities to support causes that matter deeply to me, including charities working with young children, vulnerable families and women seeking refuge from domestic abuse.
For me, it's all part of the same belief: that when we have the opportunity to help, connect people or create positive change, we should use it.
Name one thing you'd like people to know about your life and work:
If there's one thing I'd like people to know about my work, it's that purpose sits at the heart of everything I do. Whether it's through my business, Lou Robey – Voice4Impact: Creating World-Class Change Leaders, the CIC I co-founded, Work Ready Collective, or the boards, committees and charities I'm involved with, there is always a desire to create meaningful, positive change.
I believe business can be a powerful force for good, and I've always tried to build that principle into my work. Success is important, but for me it's most rewarding when it creates opportunities for others, strengthens communities, and leaves a lasting positive impact.
Everything I do is driven by the belief that we can achieve more when we combine ambition with purpose.
How might you see business playing a part in creating a fairer society here in the UK?
Business has a vital role to play in creating a fairer society. Organisations don't exist in isolation – they are part of the communities they serve, and with that comes both influence and responsibility.
I believe business leaders need to be role models. We can learn from history and use that knowledge to build a better future. Good leadership isn't just about financial performance; it's about how we treat people, the values we demonstrate and the impact we have on the world around us.
For me, the best leaders are empathetic, authentic and compassionate. They lead with integrity, treat people with kindness and recognise that success should benefit more than just the bottom line. When businesses invest in their people, support their communities, care for the environment and create opportunities for others, they help build a stronger, fairer and more resilient society for everyone.
The opportunity is there for business to be a powerful force for positive change. The question is whether we choose to use that influence well.
Why is it important that those in business lead with purpose?
It's important that business leaders lead with purpose because the decisions we make affect far more than profit and loss. They influence people's lives, communities, opportunities and, ultimately, the kind of society we create.
I believe leadership requires a conscience. We have a responsibility to think beyond the bottom line and consider the wider impact of our actions. Success should never come at the expense of people, communities or the environment.
As leaders, we have a duty of care to those we employ, the customers we serve, the communities we operate in and to future generations. We should be striving to leave the world better than we found it, using our influence, resources and expertise to create positive change wherever we can.
Purpose and commercial success are not opposing forces. In my experience, organisations that lead with integrity, compassion and a clear sense of purpose are often the ones that create the most lasting value for everyone involved.
