Uptree

We’re thrilled to announce that Oby Bamidele has joined Uptree as our new CEO. With over 15 years of experience in the youth sector, social impact, and mission-driven tech, Oby brings a wealth of expertise and a deep passion for empowering young people. Her leadership marks an exciting new chapter in our journey to connect students with meaningful experiences of work and support them as they transition from education into employment.

A message from our Founder, Tamsin Dewhurst.

"10 years on since I founded Uptree in 2015 and I’m excited to announce that Oby Bamidele will be our new CEO starting in July. She’ll be leading Uptree into the next phase of growth as I transition into the role of Chair of the Board.

Over the past year, we have been thinking carefully about how to best set the organisation up for another decade of success, achieving more social impact at scale, and Oby has proven herself to be an outstanding leader – the perfect person to carry forward this role and our mission."

Meet Oby Bamidele

Oby is a strategic, purpose-driven leader with her career encompassing leadership and executive roles in global non-profits, EdTech ventures, and values-led startups. She has scaled start-ups from early stage to sustainability, secured investment for mission-aligned ventures, and led the successful acquisition of a community engagement tech platform while serving as Chief Operating Officer.

Driven by a belief in the potential of young people – and the responsibility of organisations to remove barriers, open doors, and create opportunities – Oby’s values align perfectly with Uptree’s mission.

Oby shared her reflections on joining Uptree and her hopes for the journey ahead:

“I’m truly honoured and excited to be joining Uptree as CEO. Its mission to level the playing field for young people by connecting them with meaningful career opportunities reflects both my own journey and the purpose that’s driven my career.

I look forward to working with the team, partners, and the next generation to grow Uptree’s reach, amplify its voice, and ensure even more young people have the networks, knowledge, and confidence they need to shape their futures.”

Looking ahead

As Oby steps into her role, we remain focused on our mission: to see employers everywhere offer unique experiences of work to demystify careers and help students transition from education to employment.

We’re excited to see how Uptree will grow and evolve under Oby’s leadership, and we look forward to continuing our work with schools, students, and employers across the UK.

Stay connected

Follow us on LinkedIn as we begin this next chapter for updates, stories, and more as we continue building a future where every young person can thrive in their career.

Want to learn more about Uptree or explore ways to get involved? Get in touch - we’d love to hear from you.