About Startingpoint

We connect motivated young people with organisations that want to make a positive impact

Our story

Redefining how young people show who they are

Qualifications on a CV are important, but they do not capture a person’s full potential. Traditional CVs often focus on academic results and leave out the skills and qualities that matter in work.

Startingpoint draws on the experience of three founders. Two run a specialist school for children excluded from, or unable to attend, mainstream education. The third spent years running a recruitment agency and saw many young people who were not academically inclined struggle to show their abilities on a conventional CV. That included his son, who is autistic, found mainstream schooling difficult and worried about disclosing his neurodiversity to employers.

Startingpoint lets young people present themselves as more than a list of qualifications, showing their skills, talents, motivation, creativity and potential. It helps them find roles that suit who they are, not just what they scored.

Let’s work together to close the gap between potential and opportunity.

Meet the team

The people behind Startingpoint

Tom Simpson
Managing Director
Co-founder and driving force behind Startingpoint. His first-hand experience shaped the platform it is today.
“Startingpoint is a real passion project for me, enabling people to understand their skills better and fulfil their true value.”
Daniel Brett
Education & Skills Director
Over 20 years in executive roles across education, and Vice Chairperson of the Department for Education national T Level Ambassador Network.
“It provides a dynamic platform that empowers students and connects them with meaningful career opportunities.”
Daniel Ricardo
Marketing Director
Has run his own digital marketing agency for over 20 years, bringing knowledge, experience and resources to the platform and its content.
Leigh Smyth FRSA
Strategic Advisor
Award-winning social inclusion strategist. Former CEO of RaceOnline2012 and Go ON UK, and founder of impact networks including the Digital Poverty Alliance.
“Finding people work is one of the biggest things you can do to create social impact.”
Matt McKay
Director
Founder of the challenge app GOALD and instrumental in integrating it into Startingpoint, with a background in education recruitment.
“It puts young people in the driving seat regarding their career.”
Danny Washbrook
Sports Engagement Manager
Former professional rugby league player for Hull FC, Wakefield Trinity and York Knights, now running a recruitment agency in Hull.
“It allows the young person to show their whole character.”
Dan Williams
Head of Technology
Over 30 years of engineering experience across multiple languages and technology stacks.