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Celia Tennant - Inspiring Scotland

Senior Leadership

Chief Executive

Celia Tennant

Celia Tennant

Celia is passionate about building a better Scotland. She has been with Inspiring Scotland since launch in 2008, leading on its inaugural 14:19 employability fund as Head of Funds, before becoming Chief Executive in 2013. Inspiring Scotland pioneered venture philanthropy in Scotland and is one the largest VP organisations in the world, bringing a multi-investor, long term funding and high engagement approach to working with charities who are addressing social issues across Scotland.

Celia brings extensive experience from the private sector and is passionate about the potential of people and communities to create lasting positive change. Instrumental in Inspiring Scotland’s start-up phase, and as a social entrepreneur who makes things happen, Celia is a champion of collaborative working to tackle deep-rooted social problems.

As Chief Executive Celia has shaped Inspiring Scotland’s values and vision, and she brings the same commitment and drive to a range of Non-Executive roles. She is a Director of The Entrepreneurial Scotland Foundation, a Trustee of Winning Scotland Foundation and a Trustee of Royal Albert Cycling Club SCIO. She is an Advisor to Common Purpose Scotland and sits on the Child Poverty Programme Board as well as the Governance Board of the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit. Celia is also proud to be a Global Celt.

Celia is also an enthusiastic advocate of the power of sport to break down barriers and inspire people. She is a British Cycling coach in track, mountain bike, road and time-trial and co-founded the Clydesdale Colts youth cycling group in Lanarkshire.

£3 Million Bright Start Breakfasts Fund Now Open
14.05.2025

£3 Million Bright Start Breakfasts Fund Now Open

Today (14th May 2025) a new £3 million Bright Start Breakfasts Fund will open to applications.  The fund will expand access to breakfast clubs for primary school children by combining provision of healthy and nutritious breakfast food with before-school supervision or childcare enabling early drop off for parents to support them to work or study.  

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£3 Million Bright Start Breakfasts Fund Now Open
14.05.2025

£3 Million Bright Start Breakfasts Fund Now Open

Today (14th May 2025) a new £3 million Bright Start Breakfasts Fund will open to applications.  The fund will expand access to breakfast clubs for primary school children by combining provision of healthy and nutritious breakfast food with before-school supervision or childcare enabling early drop off for parents to support them to work or study.  

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Catalysts for Change: Understanding the motivations of volunteers in Scotland (new report published) 
12.05.2025

Catalysts for Change: Understanding the motivations of volunteers in Scotland (new report published) 

Volunteers play a vital role in supporting the work of charities across Scotland. Their contribution, big or small, can make a huge difference to individual lives and the reach and impact of organisations.   Two of Inspiring Scotland’s programmes would not exist without the support of volunteers: our Specialist Volunteer Network (SVN) connecting professional volunteers with

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