Dare adds social entrepreneur Morgan as Chair

Indie DARE Pictures has appointed social entrepreneur Michelle Morgan as the company’s new Chair.

As DARE Pictures enters its second year of business, Morgan joins in an advisory and supporting capacity, working alongside founder Derren Lawford, and the creative team on its business strategy, “whilst ensuring its core mission and values remain central to the company as it enters its next exciting phase of growth.”

Michelle Morgan is ‘Founder of Pjoys: PJ’s with Purpose, author (‘Own Your Awkward’), as well as a leading voice on mental health (Ambassador for Mental Health First Aid England). Prior to this she was Co-Founder of purpose-led youth business Livity (acquired by Mission Group in 2022), Chair of Livity Africa, and Executive Producer of Dubplate Drama, one of the first interactive TV shows on Channel 4, and MTV. She was also a Director of the non-profit organisation somewhereto_ where she played an executive role in the £7 million London 2012 Cultural Olympiad Project for young people across the UK.

Her awards include ‘Winner of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise’, ‘The Lloyds National Business Awards’, and twice winner of the ‘EY Entrepreneur of the Year’. She was featured in the Meaningful 100 Global leaders (2020) and named by the UK’s Evening Standard as one of the London’s Top Ten Changemakers (2018).

Derren Lawford, Founder & CEO, DARE Pictures said: “Throughout her outstanding career, Michelle has been an entrepreneur who combines commercial nous, with a sense of purpose, an appetite for disruption, creativity, innovation and a leadership style characterised by kindness. We’re very fortunate to have someone of her calibre supporting DARE’s next phase of growth”.

Michelle Morgan, Chair, said: “There are few, if any, industries that are not facing significant challenges in 2023 and beyond, and there are none that wouldn’t benefit from a stronger presence of purpose and creativity at the heart of their organisation. DARE’s essence is built on a commitment to creative excellence alongside a respect for diversity and the human and business benefits it brings to work. All of this is driven by empowering leadership, allyship and inclusion. I’m thrilled to be part of the DARE team and journey.”