Aren’t we in real danger of disinheriting too many young people from the future – stunting economic growth and guaranteeing future high public spend on the wrong things? Social mobility in the UK is too low. The fact that where you are born and to whom is the main determinant of your future is absurd. It also squanders much of our greatest potential. On top of that we still educate our young people to fit into existing roles and jobs – we know little of the future except that many of the skills and roles we value now will quickly become obsolete. The current pace of change means that creativity and innovation are going to be our most prized assets.

We need young people with ambition, diverse and adaptable skills and the ability to think differently. When our focus is solely on employability and jobs are short, we hit a brick wall. Inventiveness and creativity is what will unlock new opportunities – meeting employability targets is not enough. As Ken Robinson says in his brilliant book ‘Out of our Minds:’ “Education and training are the keys to the future… Turn the key one way and you lock resources away, even from those they belong to. Turn it the other way and you release resources and give people back to themselves.” Invest now in creativity in schools and we shall reap returns. The alternative? Lives on the dole and perpetuation of the old order. Now that would be monumental stupidity.

This little girl’s health, wealth and all round prospects will be determined by where she was born. Will you join me to change that? You see, I have an idea. It is bold, simple and far-reaching and could lead to the transformation of some of our poorest communities. The bottom line – if we don’t bridge the growing chasm between our poorest and richest communities we seriously damage all our future prospects. Yet, I see in all communities talents and skills that if realised will help propel our nation into a new era of success. What we need is courage, vision, resourcefulness, targeted support and new connections.

I have identified a community in Glasgow, where I have connections with a learning hub and local people on a learning journey. It is in an area of real deprivation where low horizons, low confidence and poor educational attainment are the cultural norm. Local enthusiasm we will find – I guarantee that.

I ask leaders to join me in an effort to reverse this community’s prospects. We need new role models, new connections, some targeted financial investments and highly creative ideas. Get it right and we create a model of inspiration that will open up new prospects for millions of people who at the moment lack any.

Up for that challenge? Want to hear the vision? Call me on +44(0) 7778 781846.