We are delighted to announce that the Board of Common Purpose Charitable Trust has appointed Adirupa Sengupta as Group Chief Executive. Adirupa will take over the role from Common Purpose Founder Julia Middleton on 1 January 2019.

Julia Middleton, who has led Common Purpose since she founded the organization in 1989, will be stepping down after 30 years in the role. Julia will continue to work for Common Purpose, concentrating on thought leadership and innovation.

Adirupa has driven growth and change at Common Purpose for over 17 years. She started as a programme director in the London team and moved quickly on to the International Development team to lead our startups in India and Hong Kong. After this she became CEO of Common Purpose UK, steering it through the tough times of the recession. In 2013, Adirupa moved with her family to Singapore to start Common Purpose Asia-Pacific. Since then, she has driven growth, taking us from being a startup to becoming a major player in the leadership field, particularly across the dynamic cities of the ASEAN.

Ronald Arculli, Founding Chairman of Common Purpose Hong Kong says, “I have known Adi since 2010 when she first came to Hong Kong to set up Common Purpose. Ever since, the organization’s footprint in Asia-Pacific has increased massively. I look forward to working with her as she takes over the global role from Julia to take Common Purpose into its next phase.” 

Adirupa becomes Group CEO at an exciting time: 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of Common Purpose. For nearly 30 years we have been devoted to developing leaders who can cross boundaries, so they can solve complex problems at work and in society. In today’s fragmented world, the need for leaders who can bring people together seems to have never been greater. Common Purpose now operates in 100 cities across the world, and we will reach 100 000 alumni by the end of our 30th year.

Richard Charkin, Chair of Common Purpose Charitable Trust, says, “Adirupa’s passion for Common Purpose and its vision is infectious. It will be a joy to watch her lead the organization as it develops further.”

You can read more about Adirupa here and watch her series of leadership interviews on our YouTube channel.