Bootstrap emerged at a time when the country was experiencing high levels of unemployment and industrial restructuring.  The government promoted self-employment by introducing Local Enterprise Agencies, which linked the local government with local industries and acted as a mechanism to assist the connection of big businesses and small people.  Co-ops were established to generate alternative forms of employment that would empower the local community.

Bootstrap Company's activities developed to working with unemployed residents on Hackney estates, as well as in Lambeth and Camden. These estate services offered residents advice and information about jobs and training opportunities. Later Bootstrap also provided training and community enterprise support in Dalston, targeted at the unemployed.

As a development trust, Bootstrap Company embarked on an asset development strategy, getting support to acquire and develop property in Dalston, starting with the Print House (the old Reeves paint factory), to provide a base for their training and employment programmes as well as providing a rental income stream.

By early 2005 the organization had accumulated substantial debts, lost the confidence of the directors and had significant liabilities in relation to staff. In March 2005, the trustees brought in the services of the Environment Trust, a long established sister development trust. The Environment Trust advised on restructuring the organisation: the training and enterprise support activities came to an end and the charity focused its work retaining its assets in public ownership.

Between April 2005 and June 2009 major renovation works funded by European Regional Development Fund, were undertaken.  Further development and improvement plans for the area were also devised and pursued with some of Bootstrap’s ideas feeding into the Local Development Framework adopted by the London Borough of Hackney in the Dalston Area Action Plan.

Bootstrap Company is led by a board of voluntary trustees, chaired by Mary Doyle.  The trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the charity.

Mary Doyle

Trustee
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During and after her college education in drugs & bugs, to get away from the lab, MAry started doing voluntary youth work in Hulme Manchester. This led to being a volunteer for an International Peace Organisation in Northern Ireland, in youth and community work with both communities through the summers of 1979-83.

After which Mary decided people were more important than for example working for a drugs company; lots of money but leave your conscience at home...

Mary has worked and lived in urban and rural areas, developing projects, services and employment that serves the needs of local people. Five years ago a friend asked if Mary wanted to help rescue Bootstraps, it’s been a roller coaster ride but she wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Peter Kenyon

Trustee
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Peter Kenyon has been a community/social entrepreneur for over 20 years. He joined the newly constituted Bootstrap Company board in March 2005.

Peter's professional background was in journalism from the 70s through until the 90s. He was a freelance political and financial journalist with the Sunday Times, Irish Times and the BBC in Brussels,  before joining Reuters, the international news agency in 1977. He was a Hackney councillor from 1994 to 2002, and 'founder' chair of Newham Community Health Services Trust from 1995 until 1998.

He is a strong advocate of ethical business values, good governance and accountability to the local community. He believes this is the best way of building sound community/social enterprises. He was a member of the Development Trust Association's ad hoc working group that produced the now-renown governance reference Early Warning Guide recommended by the Office of the Third Sector for use by  voluntary sector boards and senior managers.

He is a member of Community Builders' panel of mentors.

Harry Holmes

Trustee
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The first 21 years I worked as a contract surveyor and project manager in the traditional construction industry. My first employers ironically - Hackney and Tower Hamlets Council.Around seventeen years was spent working for the John Laing Group of companies in the UK, Cairo, Malaysia and Vietnam, managing a range of project from housing to hotels.

I took a career break in 1998, spending two years as a music promoter, marketing manager and DJ. Working in Vietnam, Thailand, USA, Canada, London & Copenhagen.

I worked as front of house manager at the Millennium Dome Experience. I managed a property refurbishment company for two years, before setting up a Community Internet Radio Station in North London.This led to delivering an ERDF programme for Enfield Council, working with local people to set up Social Enterprises. This was followed with a short spell with Bootstrap Enterprises providing business advice and delivering enterprise training courses.

I currently manage fuzZzypeople consultants, providing project management and engagement services to local and central government, community and voluntary organisations (Since 2004)

Dave Clarson

Trustee
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Sam Aldenton

T: 0207 275 0825
F: 0207 275 0830
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Chioma Nwanaga

T: 0207 275 0825
F: 0207 275 0830
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Lottie Campbell

T: 0207 275 0825
F: 0207 275 0830
Contact Lottie Campbell