Astro Communications Co-founder and CTO, Steve Smith is embarking on an exciting new project through his involvement with the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists (WCIT), of which he is a Court Liveryman.
The project, The Positive Transformation Initiative (PTI), has been set up by Dan Brown, who Steve met through the WCIT and it supports social mobility, diversity and accelerated opportunity creation to facilitate better futures for returning citizens, young people from tough realities and veterans. Dan set out to create a vehicle for impact through collaboration by enabling access to funding, resources & connections to create opportunities for all, including the business members and their supply chain.
PTI is a network of networks and Steve’s role involves working with Dan on developing a PTI Network Extension Group whose members will comprise senior industry people who themselves have access to large business networks. Initially these people will be from a technology or law background as the initial drive is through Tech for Good and Law for Good. Steve’s plan is to develop Network Extension Group members into a team of ambassadors who will be going out, telling the story and establishing contacts in businesses with a strong social conscience who will be invited to join the initiative.
These business members will be encouraged to network and do business together and suppliers and vendors will have the opportunity to promote their products and services to the group in exchange for funding carefully vetted charitable projects through PTIs third sector partners. PTI is not a charity but it is charitable, it will work with existing charities already specialising in our areas of interest. No money will pass through PTI, the funders will have a direct relationship with the chosen charity.
Steve also brings his own personal experience having worked with returning citizens, veterans and young people from tough realities with the WCIT and the Charity IT Association and through charities serving these members of our society.
PTIs approach is to create opportunities rather than just provide funds. It is this hand up not hand out approach that appeals to Steve and indeed matches the ethos of Astro, who will also be embracing the project and becoming one of the businesses getting involved from the start.
PTI officially launches on 29th April with a series of videos from Media Creatives, a group of young people from tough realities working with a mentor who make marketing videos. The youngsters receive excellent training, formal qualifications in media and get much-needed work experience to help them embark on a media career. This is just one of the initiatives supported by PTI.
Steve Smith says “I am passionate about all of the elements of society PTI is addressing as a direct result of my life experience. These are tough times indeed on an individual and business level. PTI is in a unique position of being able help and support our business members while helping the members of society who really need us – the people for whom tough times are the norm.“
Dan Brown says “PTI is all about the people, likeminded, kind-hearted, good willed professionals working in collaboration to provide opportunities and a better future for all. Steve couldn’t fit the profile more perfectly, a wonderful human being, dedicated to supporting others in both a personal and professional capacity. I am incredibly proud to be working with Steve in PTI and grateful that PTI provided me the opportunity to meet a great man and a now good friend”.
If you are interested in learning more about PTI please email Steve Smith.
