Redengine SCC general manager and head of strategy Jye Smith has been appointed to the leadership board of Vibewire.

Vibewire is a youth entrepreneur foundation that seeks to empower young people to build purpose-driven businesses that change the world around them.

The appointment sees Smith join a diverse line up of board members and established business leaders, including Vibewire executive director Laura Rojas, and Anne-Marie Elias, business development lead and chief disrupter of strategy and innovation firm, Disrupter’s Handbook.

In the result-driven worlds of business and study, young people are often marked against their abilities, without given the space and community to experience, learn, fail safely, or push boundaries.

Through an intensive program with real project briefs, expert coaches and inspiring members, Vibewire is committed to backing young people as the future makers to drive business change.

Commenting on his appointment, Smith says: “I’ve got a passion for coaching and mentoring others, and as I’ve gradually accepted my own ageing, the impact you can make as a senior business leader is felt tenfold when working with young business leaders who are far smarter than me.”

“As anyone will tell you, 80 per cent of your career has nothing to do with what you studied, and all major skills, capabilities and perspectives of the job are shaped by experiences.”

Vibewire president, Gavin Heaton, said: “With Jye joining the Vibewire board, he will not only be sharing his expertise with our community of young entrepreneurs, he will serve as a beacon for what is possible for the next generation of young leaders.”

Adds executive director, Rojas: “Jye joining our board makes perfect sense. As a community member in the past, he too brings a wealth of knowledge in the creative and business strategy sense.

“This is something that not only we as an organisation are grateful to have as a resource, but our current community members as well. We look forward to the exciting times ahead with Jye joining our ambitious team.”